The Ukrainian film «Pisni zemli, scho povilno horit» (Songs of a Dying Earth) made a powerful statement at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4th, the day of its world premiere. The film’s team appeared on the red carpet wearing traditional embroidered clothing, adorned with a map depicting the distances from the festival’s location on the island of Lido to places where Ukrainians are held captive by Russian occupiers. Director Olga Zhurba shared the significance of this act on Facebook, sparking a wave of support and admiration for the team’s bold statement.
The film, which tells the story of a family struggling to survive in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, has already received critical acclaim and has been selected as Ukraine’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2022 Academy Awards. But the team’s appearance at the Venice Film Festival has brought even more attention to the film and its powerful message.
The use of traditional Ukrainian clothing, known as vyshyvanka, to make a political statement is not new. In recent years, it has become a symbol of national pride and resistance against Russian aggression. The intricate embroidery on the team’s clothing not only adds a touch of beauty to the red carpet, but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict and the struggles faced by Ukrainians.
Director Olga Zhurba explained the significance of their attire in a Facebook post, stating, «Our vyshyvanka is a map of our country, a reminder of the distances that separate us from our loved ones who are held captive by the Russian occupiers. We wear it with pride and hope that our film will bring attention to the ongoing conflict and the suffering of our people.»
The team’s appearance on the red carpet was met with a standing ovation and praise from the audience. Many took to social media to express their admiration for the team’s courage and creativity in using fashion to make a political statement.
This is not the first time that Ukrainian filmmakers have used the international stage to bring attention to the ongoing conflict in their country. In 2017, the film «Donbass» by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa won the Un Certain Regard award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film depicted the chaos and corruption in Eastern Ukraine and served as a powerful commentary on the ongoing conflict.
The team behind «Pisni zemli, scho povilno horit» hopes to achieve similar success and bring attention to the ongoing conflict through their film. The use of traditional clothing with a political message adds a unique and personal touch to their statement, making it even more impactful.
The 81st Venice International Film Festival has been a platform for many thought-provoking and powerful films, but the team behind «Pisni zemli, scho povilno horit» has made a statement that will not be forgotten. Their bold and creative use of fashion has not only brought attention to their film, but also to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As the film continues to make its rounds at international film festivals, it is sure to spark important conversations and shed light on the struggles faced by Ukrainians.
