- Occupation
Director - Country
Czech Republic
Hejko Mykola
Invisible People
In the past, most Ukrainians spent their entire lives in their homeland; for political reasons it was almost impossible for them to even cross the borders. Although their country gained freedom after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, social deprivation followed soon after. Those who refused to eke out a miserable living at home decided to seek work in other parts of Europe in order to make money to support their families. About twelve million Ukrainians live outside of their own country, travelling around and taking on menial jobs. Reporter Boris Chykulaj went on a journey in the footsteps of those who have become foreigners both abroad and at home and view their homeland as a lawless, mafia-controlled, third-world country, a "rubbish bin" or "a mother who cannot feed her children". He visits Ukrainian communities in Italy, Greece, Spain, as well as the Czech Republic, interviewing their members and offering the audiences an insight into their miserable living conditions. Although we never see much of Ukraine in detail, the mosaic of interviews and statements full of indignation in this highly dynamic and vivid documentary provides an accurate picture of the country. Though it is one-sided, its focus on one particular social group is justified by the sheer numbers of Ukrainians working abroad, whose story deserves to be told.
ASTEROID 2374 - The Life and Death of Vladimir Vysotsky
Documentary film about the famous Russian singer and actor.
In the past, most Ukrainians spent their entire lives in their homeland; for political reasons it was almost impossible for them to even cross the borders. Although their country gained freedom after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, social deprivation followed soon after. Those who refused to eke out a miserable living at home decided to seek work in other parts of Europe in order to make money to support their families. About twelve million Ukrainians live outside of their own country, travelling around and taking on menial jobs. Reporter Boris Chykulaj went on a journey in the footsteps of those who have become foreigners both abroad and at home and view their homeland as a lawless, mafia-controlled, third-world country, a "rubbish bin" or "a mother who cannot feed her children". He visits Ukrainian communities in Italy, Greece, Spain, as well as the Czech Republic, interviewing their members and offering the audiences an insight into their miserable living conditions. Although we never see much of Ukraine in detail, the mosaic of interviews and statements full of indignation in this highly dynamic and vivid documentary provides an accurate picture of the country. Though it is one-sided, its focus on one particular social group is justified by the sheer numbers of Ukrainians working abroad, whose story deserves to be told.
ASTEROID 2374 - The Life and Death of Vladimir Vysotsky
Documentary film about the famous Russian singer and actor.