Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is considered to be the most internationally heralded Ukrainian film in history and a classic of Ukrainian magical realist cinema.
All ticket proceeds will go to Dovzhenko Center and the fronline Ukrainian medics.
Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors is set in Western Ukraine (Carpathian mountains) circa the 1860s. It was banned in the USSR because it emphasized the unique Ukrainian culture and the fact that the language in the film was Ukrainian and not Russian. References to the Church and religion was also deemed objectionable by Soviet authorities.
Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors is a Romeo and Juliet story: Ivan (Ivan Mikolaichuk) is madly in love with his childhood sweetheart, Marichka (Larisa Kadochnikova). The two, who are also neighbours, have formed an inseparable bond over the years, despite the rift that divides their families: her father murdered his father. Ivan intends to marry his beloved, but is forced to leave town in order to earn a suitable dowry. Once he departs, he endures a series of hurdles and tragedies.
“Its principal asset as a motion picture is the brilliant reproduction of ancient customs and traditional sentiments. It also has a spectacular and abundant musical score that carries much more emotion than the actors convey.” – New York Times