Olha Zhurba’s sophomore feature, Songs of Slow Burning Earth [+lee también:
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entrevista: Olha Zhurba
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Zhurba tells Cineuropa: “The Russian aggression against Ukraine is a war against the world’s democracy and humanitarian values. The more the world thinks that it is a national conflict or feels tired of it, the closer the frontline will be moving to the west. The totalitarian Russian federation has a long-term plan to become an empire. And it is a big, comfortable illusion to think something will change after Putin’s death. It’s hard to understand for many people outside of Ukraine, but our defenders are keeping the peace for Europe, putting their lives on the line. How much longer can we hold up this wall?”

Anna Eborn, who edited the trailer, adds: “Ukrainian filmmakers have helped me see and understand the need for Ukrainian artists to create their own influences, inspiration and method, and stop referring to old references to filmmaking. This film is a crucial watch in order to emotionally try to understand the consequences of war, especially for international audiences.”

Zhurba’s feature debut, Outside [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alina Gorlova
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Songs of Slow Burning Earth is being produced by Darya Bassel for Ukraine’s Moon Man, in co-production with Anne Köhncke for award-winning Danish studio Final Cut for Real and Kerstin Übelacker for Sweden’s We Have a Plan, ARTE France and Film i Skåne. Filmotor is handling its international sales. The movie is also part of Generation Ukraine, an initiative by the ARTE Group aimed at supporting the Ukrainian filmmaking industry by co-producing 12 documentaries.

Check out our exclusive trailer for Songs of Slow Burning Earth below: