Three films that explore Ukrainian culture

Hello! Our latest documentary release is dedicated to the rich and vibrant world of Ukrainian cinema. We are pleased to bring you excerpts of three award-winning Ukrainian films, all shot prior to the current war in Ukraine, with filmmakers focusing on the country's people and culture through a vital, artistic lens. This project is presented in collaboration with Kyiv-based film festival Docudays UA, an international human rights film festival running for 18 years that was due to happen this month, but which was cancelled when the war began. "By telling documentary stories – genuine, honest, powerful – about our culture, history and present, we show that we exist. We are here and we will continue to be here, next to you, in Europe," says film-maker Irena Stetsenko, director of Roses. Film-Cabaret (2021). Stetenko's film follows an all-female cabaret group, Dakh Daughters, as they live through the Maidan Revolution of 2014, a pivotal moment in the history of Ukraine. "An important feature of Dakh Daughters is that their art merges Ukrainian and European cultural phenomena," she says. "And their form of creative collaboration is very freeing. Instead of the tired tv formats I was used to, they assured me that everything was possible and in fact supported the development of my role from sound producer to director, forming my career at this momentous time in our history. This unique tone filtered through to their performances, teaching the audience about boundless freedom as well being responsible for your individual choices." This Rain Will Never Stop (2020), by film-maker Alina Gorlova, is shot in striking black and white with a Syrian-Ukrainian protagonist giving a broad context to the nature of war and the scars it leaves behind. "The psychology of armed conflict has fascinated me for a long time," says Gorlova. "Why is the fate of our species so intertwined with the drive towards aggression? Why do people admire military parades, but at the same time are afraid of war?" And finally, School #3 (2017), which interviews 13 adolescents from a rebuilt school in Donbas about their hopes and fears. "At the time of filming, war was on the periphery of their stories but still a constant and unavoidable frame of reference," says film-maker Yelizaveta Smith. Thanks for subscribing and supporting Guardian Documentaries and the network of Ukrainian film-makers promoted by Docudays UA. For more about the role of documentaries at a time of war, read this opinion piece by Docudays' Darya Bassel. Jess Gormley Executive Producer, Guardian Documentaries jess.gormley@theguardian.com This documentaries compilation is part of a project called 'Stand with Docudays' a collaboration between One World Media, Bertha Dochouse and Guardian Documentaries, where the first two of the above feature-length films will be screened in their entirety at DocHouse Cinema London, on the 5th and 6th April.  Profits from the screenings will go to Docuhelp, a fund set up to support Ukrainian film-makers. Click here for tickets to screenings.  Latest releases Lenka / A portrait of methamphetamine addiction in the Czech Republic The Black Cop / A police officer's story of racism, remorse and resistance Unsafe Passage / On board a refugee rescue ship racing for Europe Explore our archive No ball games / Life and play through the eyes of children across the UK Untold chaos / Living through Libya's wars Our Iranian lockdown / How coronavirus changed one couple's life Somalinimo / Somali culture, blackness and Islam at Cambridge University What we're watching BBC Four / Storyville, The Distant Barking of Dogs Get in touch If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com Russia's invasion of Ukraine has abruptly transformed the world. Millions of people have already fled. A new Iron Curtain is grinding into place. An economic war deepens, as the military conflict escalates and civilian casualties rise. 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