Valentyn Vasyanovych's Journey in Wartime Cinema
In October 2022, filmmaker Valentyn Vasyanovych embarked on a deeply personal creative journey. After discarding several initial concepts, he decided to pen a screenplay rooted in his own lived experiences and the profound challenges of surviving through wartime. This project was not merely a cinematic endeavor but a response to the psychological toll of conflict.
Funding and International Support
The development of the film was made possible through a series of strategic grants and international partnerships. Vasyanovych was one of 48 Ukrainian filmmakers selected by the Ukrainian Film Academy to receive a Netflix-funded development grant, valued at US$15,000.
Further support arrived from the Lithuanian production company M-Films. This collaboration was part of a broader effort to assist Ukrainian creators, following a call for aid made by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his live address at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. This initiative operated under the Lithuanian Film Fund and the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films.
By 2024, the project secured additional financial backing through European co-productions and a €70,000 grant from Eurimages, a cultural support fund for European cinema.
A Collaborative and Therapeutic Process
The production was characterized by its intimacy and minimalism. The film was crafted by a small team of only six or seven people, all of whom were close friends of Vasyanovych. In a versatile arrangement, these individuals served dual roles, acting in front of the camera while managing technical duties behind it.
For the crew, the process served as a form of collective psychotherapy—a shared psychological healing process. Vasyanovych described the project as "supportive," noting that it provided a necessary psychological release and a temporary escape from the pervasive stress of war.
In an interview with Variety prior to the film's premiere in Toronto, Vasyanovych emphasized that the production helped distract the team from the harrowing thoughts associated with their environment.
Global Presentation
The film eventually reached the international stage. In May 2025, producer Volodymyr Yatsenko presented the work alongside other Ukrainian cinema at the Cannes Marché du Film, the professional market associated with the Cannes Film Festival.
Key Facts
- Director: Valentyn Vasyanovych.
- Initial Funding: US$15,000 Netflix development grant via the Ukrainian Film Academy.
- European Support: €70,000 from Eurimages and support from M-Films.
- Production Team: A small group of 6-7 close friends acting as both cast and crew.
- Key Presentation: Showcased at the Cannes Marché du Film in May 2025.
| Organization/Entity | Contribution/Role | Amount/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix / Ukrainian Film Academy | Development Grant | US$15,000 |
| Eurimages | Project Funding | €70,000 |
| M-Films / Lithuanian Film Fund | Production Support | European Solidarity Fund |
| Volodymyr Yatsenko | Producer | Cannes Marché du Film presentation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote and directed the film?
The film was written and directed by Valentyn Vasyanovych, who based the screenplay on his own experiences living through wartime.
How was the film funded?
Funding came from a US$15,000 Netflix grant, €70,000 from Eurimages, and support from M-Films through the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films and the Lithuanian Film Fund.
Who made up the production crew?
The film was produced by a tiny team of six or seven people who were close friends of the director; they functioned as both the actors and the crew.
What was the psychological impact of the production on the team?
Vasyanovych described the process as a form of "collective psychotherapy," providing the team with a psychological release and a distraction from the stress of war.
Where was the film presented internationally?
The film was presented at the Cannes Marché du Film in May 2025 by producer Volodymyr Yatsenko.