Ukrainian filmmaker Sasha Kasiuha is one of the directors behind the new documentary spotlighting the iconic U.S. singer and actress Madonna.
Called “Madame X,” the documentary was created by SKNX, a director duo of Kasiuha and Portuguese award-winning filmmaker Nuno Xico, as well as Portuguese photographer Ricardo Gomes.
“Madame X” is a concert film that follows the “queen of pop,” Madonna, during her latest 75-date world tour in support of the 2019 studio album of the same name. It was released on the Paramount+ streaming platform earlier on Oct. 8.
“‘Madame X’ is finally here to disturb your peace,” Kasiuha wrote on Instagram later that day.
Centered around Madonna’s performances in Lisbon, where the singer has lived since 2017, the bold documentary spotlights the 63-year-old star herself, alongside her children and multiple musicians and dancers from around the globe. It also includes some of the superstar’s most legendary performances and music videos and gives viewers a chance to see the tour through Madonna’s eyes.
The rising star of cinematography Kasiuha, 26, was born in Dnipro, a city in south-eastern Ukraine, 500 kilometers from Kyiv. He currently lives in the U.S. The latest documentary, however, is not the first and only Kasiuha’s collaboration with Madonna: Earlier in 2020 SKNX have released another short documentary on Madonna’s latest album “World of Madame X.”
Kasiuha has also co-directed “No Fear, Courage, Resist,” a short film starring Madonna that was released during Pride week to support the LGBTQ+ community. According to Kasiuha, it was inspired by 90’s underground video art culture “in thought-provoking layout for people to be who they are, love themselves and stay fearless.”
In an interview with Vogue UA, Kasiuha said that they have been filming “Madame X” in Paris, Los Angeles, and Lisbon. It took them around a year to create the film.
Kasiuha also said that working with such artists as Madonna “is difficult, but very exciting.”
“When you realize what your responsibility is, you try your best,” Kasiuha told Vogue UA. “It is very comfortable to work with Madonna, she makes no less effort to make everything at the highest level.”
Madonna is a world-famous American singer-songwriter, actress and businesswoman. The Guinness World Records acknowledged her as the fourth best-selling act of all time and the best-selling female recording artist.
“Madame X” documentary premiered on the gigantic led billboard of the Times Square Edition Hotel in New York City earlier in September.
“We are honored and proud of this collaboration with Madonna. Creating this film has been such an inspiring process,” SKNX wrote on Facebook prior to the premier.
