Donetsk is looking for alternative information sources

Today, the alternative information sources in Ukraine are numbered: only a few newspapers and TV channels, Internet, social networks provide unbiased news. However, one more way to inform thinking audience about issues that are not covered in the public space of the region appeared in Donetsk: the free film screenings, organized by local NGOs. At the moment, there are two initiatives of this kind: Plast Cinema, founded by Donetsk Plast department, and the Isolation Foundation project.

Recently, Donetsk residents had an opportunity to view the documentary Otets Kadylo (Father Censer) about life of one of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army chaplains Vasyl Shevchuk (Plast Cinema) and a series of short movies Goodbye, Ukraine! about emigration problems caused by systemic unsolved problems in Ukraine (video project by the Isolation Foundation).

Screening of Father Censer may even be considered revolutionary for Donetsk. Even though red and black flags become a more common sight during football matches at the Donbass Arena, public proclamation of the OUN UPA ideas is still unconventional there. The film tells about Shevchuk’s persona and about the national liberation struggle of Ukrainians in the 1940s in general. It contains documentary scenes as well as interviews with people who knew the famous priest in person. Plast Cinema is almost the only project that gives an ability to carry out screenings of patriotic movies in Donetsk.

“We want to show documentaries and feature films dedicated to Ukraine and Ukrainian people. The selection of pictures is rather random. Everything depends on what we are able to find. For example, Father Censer is a new film, but we also show the ones that were shot earlier, for example during the 1990s or the Soviet times. The main criterion is for them to have vivid Ukrainian background,” says organizer Father Ihnatii (Oleksandr Volovenko).

However, so far, screenings organized by Plast are visited by a small amount of patriotically oriented citizens. “Let us put it this way: people do not visit our shows accidentally. Our audience usually consists of members of patriotic social movements. So to say, it is a specific product for a specific audience,” says social activist Dmytro PANDAKOV. But according to him, there is quite a large number of such people in Donetsk. The reasons of Plast Cinema’s low attendance have to do with the technical part of the events, since often the information about the next screening can be received from the Internet or from text newsletters that are sent to subscribers only. But the organizers say they are happy to welcome anyone. For example, after watching Father Censer, one Donetsk resident said he would bring his grandson for the next show.

“It is not my first time at Plast Cinema. I was the most impressed by the film about Irish insurgents, it was one of the first movies. And though the plot was not based on Ukrainian realities, the overall theme is applicable to our country as well. Father Censer is a very fine documentary. In fact, I thought it would be a fiction picture. Vasyl Shevchuk’s figure turned out to be a complete surprise for me. I think that it is necessary that such films are shown in the future,” Pandakov shared his impressions.

Unlike Plast Cinema, the Isolation Foundation’s abilities are somewhat wider. The foundation activists installed a modern screen into an old Soviet assembly hall on the top floor of the administrative building at the “Isolation” plant. And every weekend people can watch Ukrainian films and talk to film directors there.

“Our main goal is to acquaint people with artists who create Ukrainian cinematography today. There are very few projects, in which viewers can talk to a person who created a film, ask questions, and share impressions,” says the curator of the Isolation Foundation video project Mykhailo HLUBOKY. “In January 2013, we plan to screen a cycle of works by young Ukrainian directors, and in February, we want to show films of the early 20th century, restored at the Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studio, which have been collecting dust on the shelves for a long time. One of such films opened this year’s Molodist Film Festival.

A series of short movies by Volodymyr Tykhy Goodbye, Ukraine! opened the screenings of Ukrainian films. It should be said that this series about the aspects of life that force Ukrainians emigrate abroad roused mixed feelings among the audience. According to Tykhy, one of the tasks that film creators have set, was to motivate Ukrainians ponder over the present-day state of affairs and change it in some way.

“I liked some works. But in my opinion, we need more positive films about Ukraine,” one of the viewers noted. And another viewer invited the director to show the series in her native city, Luhansk.

Another work that was presented at the Isolation Foundation video project was movie Kross (A Country Race) by Maryna Vroda. The viewers also had an opportunity to talk to the director. The screening took place on Saturday, December 15.

Despite the fact that such projects as Plast Cinema or the Isolation Foundation’s initiative are a rare occurrence for Donetsk at the moment, the number of viewers is still low. This is usually explained by either the lack of information, or transportation problems, or students’ studies on Saturday. But it is time to think about one’s own civil stand. And it is a proven fact now that it is possible to find quality alternative in Donetsk.