A new documentary by widely known Ukrainian director Serhiy Loznytsya was an unplanned creation. When the EuroMaidan Revolution began on Nov. 21, he put aside his other projects and shot “Maidan,” a film about the protest.
The movie, presented at Cannes International Film Festival and now screening in Kyiv, gives insight into the protests and takes the audience to almost every corner of Maidan. The film is a mosaic of around 90 long shots. One impression is that the director was putting his camera in random places.
“Maidan” shows both the peaceful and violent stages of the protest. In interviews, Loznytsya confessed that he divided the documentary in four parts: a prologue, a feast, a battle and an epilogue. He also said that the “forming of the Ukrainian nation” is meant to be the protagonist of the movie.
The film gives no comments, doesn’t judge or glorify. In fact, the director and his team step aside, letting the viewer come to their own conclusions.
However, some of the key moments of the EuroMaidan Revolution were left out. Strangely, the movie doesn’t feature any of the former government’s attempts to clear Maidan by force. The Berkut riot police officers, known for their violent attacks on demonstrators, come across as oppressed by the crowd.
“Maidan” is filled with music. It starts with the national anthem of Ukraine and ends with requiem music. Throughout the film, the national anthem is performed several times in different ways. Among other songs is the popular protest song, “Chervona Ruta,” a Christmas carol, religious hymns and songies that mock former President Viktor Yanukovych (“Vitya, Ciao!”).
The documentary is featured in the programs of some 30 film festivals around the world, including the Cannes International Film Festival and the Odessa International Film Festival. In Kyiv, “Maidan” runs in a number of theaters. Check the schedule at www.kino-teatr.ua.
Kyiv Post staff writer Iryna Savchuk can be reached at [email protected]
Maidan (documentary)
Kyiv Cinema (19 Velyka Vasylkivska St.) 3:15 p.m., 7 p.m.
Hr 30-65
Zhovten
(26 Kostyantynivska St.) 7 p.m.
Hr 25-70
