Wolyn

The eastern limits of Poland were set after WWI along the Curzon line, roughly today's boundary. After Poland's victory over the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War, the boundary was shifted East. Some regions of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire such as Volhyn (the original title of this movie) and Eastern Galicia became de facto Polish, although Poles were a minority; for Volhyn the percentages were 70%, 16% and 10% for Ukrainians, Poles and Jews.

The film begins with a village wedding in Volyn shortly before the outbreak of WWII. The various ethnic groups are seen living in wary mistrust of each other. From conversations we learn that Ukrainians resent their heavy handed treatment by Polish authorities. Use of the Ukrainian language is forbidden or discouraged. Ukrainian schools are being closed. So are Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches, some demolished, others converted to Catholic churches.

In September 1939 the Soviets occupy Volhyn and Eastern Galicia in answer to Hitler's invasion of Poland. In June 1941 the region is overrun and occupied by Nazi troops on their way to invade the Soviet Union. Initially, some Ukrainians welcome the Germans in the belief they would support a free, independent Ukraine, but this hope is soon dashed. Some extreme right wing diehards such as the OUN = Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and its paramilitary branch the UPA = Ukrainian Insurgent Army ally themselves with the occupiers and carry out a bloody campaign of ethnic cleansing against Polish and other minorities. This is the backdrop for the story, which centers on the the vicissitudes of bride Hela and sister Zosia during the war.

This film does everything well, including an even handed treatment of controversial history. It is spoken in Polish, Ukrainian and Russian and the subtitles do a good job of identifying each language. It is available in the streaming services under the title Hatred, the name of the novel on which it is based.

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.

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.

Just go see this film, very real, very powerful, vey emotional and somehow entertianing. Love the actress Michalina, playing a vey tough and challenging role, from an innocent teenage girl to a grown woman of three kids but still very covincing, which reminds me Leonado Decarprio from Catch me if you can, it's a 5 stars performance! By the way, seriously have no idea how people rated this film with one star.

I have seen my fair share of horror and gore movies but the most harrowing of horror films are those based on real events and the worst horrors are the ones being depicted not by imaginary monsters but by human beings.

Fair warning this one is a tough watch even if you're used to such films, it does not shy away from the violence that was committed during this time so be prepared to see men, woman and small children (even babies) being brutally murdered in some of the worst ways possible.

Overall this was a well made movie and I enjoyed it as a film but was completely shook up by it's content, not being a European myself (though familiar with these events) I still found it difficult at times to tell who was who as it involves Poles, Ukrainians, Jews, Germans and Russians including all the partisan groups and even mixtures of the above so one must pay close attention to follow along.

If you're looking for a good anti-war film this is it, after watching you will be utterly disgusted with what took place and if you're not then you're not human.