Documentary film Ukrainian sheriffs directed by Roman Bondarchuk won IDFA Special Jury Award for Feature-Length Documentary. Film participated in main competition of this largest European forum of non-feature films. It depicts changes that war brought to life in small village Stara Zburyivka, located in South of Ukraine. Project was co-produced by Ukraine, Latvia and Germany.
Jury consisting of well-known directors and producers Jonathan Rosenbaum, Barbara Visser, Hanna Polak, Maite Alberdi and Laurent Bécue-Renard awarded film with the following annotation: “This film is a fascinating, humorous, and universal portrait of a community trying to handle the frustrations and quarrels of everyday life and keep the peace, proceeding with ingenuity, patience, and common sense. Direction and cinematography are aligned with the episodic storytelling in a detailed depiction of a rustic milieu that is uncertainly poised between ancient customs and an encroaching war”.
“I think it is very important that Ukrainian film, calmly and evenly telling about everyday life, and not about barricades or war trenches, won. This helps to create a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary Ukraine and its film industry” - greeted the film crew with the victory Vitaly Mansky, president of “Artdocfest”, main oppositional Russian festival of documentary film.
“The award of the most prestigious documentary film festival IDFA is not only a recognition of absolutely astounding cinematographic work of Roman Bondarchuk but also a sign of undeniable attention to what is happening currently in Ukraine and support to all Ukrainian people. Using example of life in Stara Zburyivka and its extraordinary inhabitants, director managed to convey the indomitable will of Ukrainian people, their unique identity and optimism” - noted Marianna Kaat, director and producer, author of well-known to Ukrainian audience film “Pit No. 8”, which premiered on Docudays UA in 2012.
Best films from IDFA Amsterdam documentary film festival will be screened during 13th Docudays UA that will take place in Kyiv from 25th of March until 1st of April 2016.
