The 42nd International film festival Molodist opened in Kyiv's National Opera with less glamor but more politics than its predecessors.
The ceremony started with a performance by the Kyiv
Classic Orchestra of Mykola Lysenko’s music from the Taras Bulba opera. The conductor led the
orchestra from behind a
huge screen, his huge shadow even more entertaining than the music itself. The music was followed by opening speeches and the Scythian Deer award
ceremony for contributions to world cinema. This time the deer went to famous french director
Leos Carax, who’s movie “Sacred Motors” will be presented at the festival. The
award for development of Ukrainian cinema went to Ukraine famous animated film director Davyd Cherkaskyi.
Ukraine’s ex-president Viktor Yushchenko personally addressed the crowd, while Ukraine’s current president Viktor Yanukovych just sent his
greetings. This year’s ceremony saw a much bigger showing of politicians among the attendance, though
celebrities did not fail to make an appearance. Among the
opening guests were TV host Katya Osadcha, actress Natalia Sumska and singer
Kamaliya along with her husband Mohammad Zahoor, owner of the Kyiv Post.
A screening of the Ukrainian 1927 silent movie “Self-seeker” by Mykola Shpykovskyi accompanied by the Kyiv
Classic Orchestra was the main and most interesting part of the ceremony. The film tells the story of a
man who tried to serve all the authorities, red and white armies and even a local rebel
chieftain. Back in the
1930s the movie was banned and forgotten
shortly after its premier, and
was only recently rediscovered and renewed so it could be shown at Ukraine’s Molodist film festival.
The traditional host and festival director Andriy
Halpahchi informed the guests about the festival’s program, which will include up to 15 film
sections, many workshops and masterclasses. Kyiv’s 42nd
Molodist film festival will be held in seven locations around the city and last
from Oct. 20 to Oct. 28.
Daryna Shevchenko
