Molodist announces the opening and closing films, the "Scandinavian Panorama", "Special Events", and "Century" programs, and special festival passes for military and internally displaced youth.

"Molodist" offers free passes for military personnel. Defenders of Ukraine do not need to register anywhere. They simply need to approach the accreditation desk of the Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist at the "Zhovten" cinema within October 26 and November 3, show their combatant ID, and receive their pass. Together with the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House, "Molodist" has prepared 100 free special passes for internally displaced youth, which will be valid throughout the festival period. 

Applications for these festival passes can be submitted here.

The opening film of the "Molodist" Film Festival will be the Ukrainian-Polish drama "TWO SISTERS." This is one of the first feature films shot by an international team in Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion.

The film tells the story of two stepsisters, Yashmina and Małgorzata, who set off from Poland to a war-torn town in the Kharkiv region in search of their injured father. As they endure the trials of war, the sisters grow closer for the first time in their lives and reconsider their values and ideals.

The author and director is a well-known Polish filmmaker Łukasz Karwowski.The lead roles are played by Polish actresses Karolina Rzepa and Diana Zamojska. Ukrainian characters, whom the sisters meet during their journey, are portrayed by well-known Ukrainian actors, including Irma Vitovska, Vitalina Bibliv, Mykhailo Zhonin, Maryna Koshkina, Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Rob Feldman, Olena Kurta, and Vyacheslav Babenkov.

«In "Two Sisters" the bond between real sisters is tested, strained, but never broken. It is a story of forgiveness and survival, where love endures even in the face of war, just as the unbreakable ties between Poland and Ukraine remain», comments Łukasz Karwowski,  film’s creator and director.

An extraordinary genre for Ukrainian cinema, the road movie adds a broader background to the story and vividly depicts the realities of modern Ukraine during the  war. However, the main theme revolves around the relationships between people in a war context. The foreign heroines find themselves at the epicenter of events and, as they face challenges, they meet new people who either help them overcome obstacles or, conversely, create them.

Filming took place in 2022 in Kyiv and surrounding areas—Borodyanka, Bucha, Pohreby, Dmytrivka, and Bilohorodka, as well as in Chernihiv and Kharkiv. While preparing for the shooting, director Łukasz Karwowski  visited frontline regions to gain a deeper understanding of life in a country under attack. Additionally, the director allowed a significant part of improvisation, encouraging actors to build dialogues organically, and to enhance the story's authenticity, he involved local residents as actors—such as a vegetable seller, auto service workers etc.

The Theatrical Release of "TWO SISTERS" is expected in 2025. Film’s Ukrainian co-producer is FILM.UA Group. Distributor: Film.UA Distribution.

• Film teaser
• Film shots

The closing film will be the feature "UNDER THE VOLCANO" by Polish director Damian Kocur. This story follows a Ukrainian family of four who embark on a vacation to the Canary Islands. However, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, they overnight transformed from tourists into refugees. Actress Sofia Berezovska won the award for Best Debut Role at the Gdynia Polish Film Festival. The film also stars Roman Lutskyi and Anastasiya Karpenko.

We have already shared details about some of the films in previous releases. Here are more films that audiences can look forward to. 

 A screening of Victoria Trofimenko's film "BROTHERS: THE LAST CONFESSION" will be presented within the "Special Events" program by the producer, Maksym Asadchyi, a member of this year's "Molodist" international competition jury, on October 26 at 3:45 PM.

Additionally, we will show " 87 CHILDREN" by Akhtem Seitablayev, which will be personally introduced by the director. There will also be a conference dedicated to the issue of Crimean Tatars and a photo exhibition at the "Zhovten" cinema.

The film "WARBOY" takes place in the autumn of 1944, as World War II nears its end. A boy named Niku embarks on a solitary journey through the Western Romanian mountains to save horses that belonged to his family. 

The documentary "THE CATS OF THE GOKOGU SHRINE" tells the story of an ancient Shinto shrine in Ushimado village that has become home to dozens of street cats.

There also will be a special screening of two documentaries within this program: "DOPPELGANGER" and "CALLSIGN “ARTIST”" by Maksym Tuzov. "DOPPELGANGER" narrates the transformation of the outstanding Ukrainian actor Oleksiy Bohdanovych into a theater institute student. The war shattered the illusion of the omnipotence of art, prompting him to reprioritize his values and contemplate on the true meaning of life. "CALLSIGN “ARTIST" tells the story of the well-known actor Oleksandr Pecheritsia, who joined the Ukrainian military after the full-scale invasion began. The film "DOMICILE" by Serhii Rakhmanin focuses on the story of screenwriter and set designer Yevhen Holubenko, who was also the husband of Kira Muratova. Oleg Kokhan is the producer of all three films.

Films in the "Special Event" (SE) program:

• THE CATS OF THE GOKOGU SHRINE, Kazuhiro Soda, Japan, 2024, 119’
• WARBOY, Marian Crisan, Romania, 2023, 87’
• PUTIN, Patryk Vega, Poland, 2024, 145’
• 87 CHILDREN, Akhtem Seitablayev, Ukraine, Georgia, 2017, 96’
• BROTHERS. THE FINAL CONFESSION, Victoria Trofimenko, Ukraine, 2013, 120’
• A SENTIMENTAL TRAVEL TO THE PARAJANOV PLANET, Taras Tomenko, Ukraine, 2024, 80’
• MOTHER AND DAUGHTER OR THE NIGHT IS NEVER COMPLETE, Lana Gogoberidze, France, Georgia, 2023, 89’
• DOPPELGANGER,  Maksym Tuzov, Ukraine, 2024, 35’
• CALLSIGN “ARTIST”,  Maksym Tuzov, Ukraine, 2024, 35’
• DOMICILE,  Serhii Rakhmanin, Ukraine, 2024, 48’

The traditional program "Scandinavian Panorama" is being reintroduced at this year’s "Molodist". Swedish screenwriter and director Isabella Eklöf will personally attend the festival. In 2018, her screenplay for the film "BORDER" was nominated for the European Film Academy Award. Her new film, "KALAK" which will be presented at the festival, received a Special Jury prize and the award for Best Cinematography at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

The film "LOVE" by director Dag Johan Haugerud had its world premiere in the Main Competition at the Venice Film Festival. Pragmatic doctor Marianne and empathetic nurse Thor avoid traditional relationships. One evening, after a disappointing blind date, Marianne meets Thor on a ferry. Thor, who often spends nights there seeking casual encounters with men, shares his experiences of spontaneous intimacy. Intrigued by the worldview of her new acquaintance, Marianne decides to explore whether a one-night stand will suit her.

The documentary "ISRAEL-PALESTINE ON SWEDISH TELEVISION 1958-1989" examines one of the longest conflicts in the world through archival materials from Swedish television, challenging media standards and illustrating how the rhetoric surrounding the coverage of the two states' confrontation evolved over the years.

Films in the "Scandinavian Panorama" (SCA) program:

• KALAK,  Isabella Eklöf, Denmark, Sweden, Greenland, Norway, Netherlands, Finland, 2023, 120’
• WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS, Runar Runarsson, Iceland, 2024, 82’
• LOVE, Dag Johan Haugerud,  Norway, 2024, 119’
• SOLITUDE, Ninna Palmadottir, Iceland, 2023, 75’
• ISRAEL PALESTINE ON SWEDISH TV 1958-1989, Göran Hugo Olsson, Sweden, 2024, 75’

Film Shots.

"The Century" program of "Molodist" traditionally honors the memory of outstanding filmmakers. Don’t miss the festival screenings of "LAST TANGO IN PARIS" by Bernardo Bertolucci, dedicated to the centenary of the legendary actor Marlon Brando, and "BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S" by Blake Edwards, featuring the incomparable Audrey Hepburn in the lead role. This screening celebrates the 100th anniversary of Truman Capote, whose novella inspired the film adaptation. We will also showcase the Georgian film "REPENTANCE" which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987, honoring the anniversary of director Tengiz Abuladze.

Films in the "Century" (100) program::

• REPENTANCE, Tengiz Abuladze, Soviet Union, 1987, 153’
• LAST TANGO IN PARIS, Bernardo Bertolucci, Italy, France, 1972, 129’
• EVERYBODY'S FINE, Giuseppe Tornatore, Italy, France, 1990, 125’
• FAIL SAFE, Sidney Lumet, USA, 1964, 112’
• BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY's, Blake Edwards, USA, 1961, 114’
• ILLUSTRIOUS CORPSES, Francesco Rosi, Italy, 1976, 120’

• Tickets
• Festival Pass
• Student Pass

Partners:

• State Film Agency of Ukraine

• National Union of Filmmakers of Ukraine

• "Zhovten" Cinema

• International Institute of Depth Psychology

• Kyivstar TV

• Embassy of Italy in Ukraine

• Italian Cultural Institute in Ukraine

• Embassy of France in Ukraine

• French Institute in Ukraine

• ILTA

• Wizard

• "Krayina" Mineral Water

• Shlyager FM

• Business Radio

• DJ FM

• Power FM

• Suspilne Media

• Suspilne Kultura

• DTF Magazine

• LiRoom - Information Partner of Ukrainian Culture
• Detector Media

• Prokino

• LB.ua

• Hromadske

• Zagin Kinomaniv

• Vechirniy Kyiv

• Ukrainian Week

• Svidomi

• #ПроШоКіно
• Tisto Café & Bakery
• Sky Loft Hotel Kyiv by Rixwell International

  
  Grand Prix Sponsor:
  Loto-Zabava (M.S.L)

  General Media Partner:
  1+1 Media

  Jewelry Partner:
  Kimberli

  Creative Partner:
  McCann

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