Wolyn

I must say that I'm shocked by this movie. Massacre usually happens during invasion, for example Japan did several massacres to China including the Nanjing Massacre （which Japan still doesn't admit）. But this one happened in Wolyn is even worse, because it happened between neighborhoods, they were living together, harvesting together, marrying to each other, then someday UPA came, everything changed. I saw the very worst of human nature inspired by the nationalism. All good thing slaughtered.

It is true that too much violence can soften the effect. But this is not the case here. It was a shocking and fascinating cinematic experience. I love the work of Wojciech Smarzowski. Nobody else does this kind of filming around here. And the MOST shocking thing for me personally, coming from an academic household that is specifically proud of his high education: I did NOT know anything about this at all..! None of my friends knew anything about this before I told them! Poles are still looked down on in this class, and not talked about. As were the Ukrainians by the Poles back then. Please watch and spread it whereever you can.

This is actually sad that ukrainian people started forgetting their own history. We have to remember our own history, no matter if it's good history or bad.

I grew up hearing stories from my grandparents that were from Lwow. Lwow is now part of Ukraine and near the Wolyn area where this movie takes place. Hearing my grandfather saying how he would patrol his village with pitchforks was one thing. Hearing about atrocities committed made you wonder if people are capable of such acts. This movie brought his stories to life in shocking truth and reality. One item that was also true was that Poles would find more safety with the Nazi oppressors, rather than surrounding Ukrainian neighbors. In fact, one story that was not presented, that may be good to share, is that Germans provided rifles to some polish villages so residents could protect themselves. Incredible movie that shows history that is not at all known in most circles.

A very powerful movie. The acting and cinematography were excellent. Michalina Labacz especially shines in her lead role. Although the movie is two and a half hours long the pacing keeps your attention throughout.

As many have noted, this film has a great deal of graphic violence. Not only quick killings, but also gruesome torture. It is a testament to the director that for the most part he does not linger on such scenes. For me, it was not always the case, and there were several times that I had to look away.

The characters are numerous and of many nationalities and religions, but the movie rarely casts anyone as black and white caricatures. No side comes out as pure and innocent, or completely evil. Along with the massacres by Ukrainians, we also see the arrogance of Polish upper class village residents, and even protection by some German soldiers.

The swirl of death on all sides and by all sides leaves one numb by the end, but it important story. In addition to telling the story of an often overlooked part of East European history, it also is a more general warning of how easily the dark side of humanity can come forward in times of adversity.