Any Ukrainian project brings benefits for culture development as a whole

At the section “Successful Ukrainian cinema? Yes!” which took place on September 17 at KYIV MEDIA WEEK 2018 international media forum the speakers agreed that though Ukrainian festival cinema is often not successful in distribution, and mass Ukrainian cinema also doesn’t always pay off, projects from both niches – and both good and bad - are necessary for the industry to develop.  

Obviously, mass cinema is a driving force for culture but, according to Yuriy Minzyanov, producer at Kristi Film, festival cinema, though its ratings may be very subjective, is a way towards big cinema and a real help for young directors. State support has increased, and the number of projects did as well – so now there is a question who is going to make them. There are good schools, like in Karpenko-Karyi institute, plus workshops by Illenko and Yuriy Tereschenko. But mostly these human resources won’t be enough for the nearest future, and one will have to “pull in” the guys from TV – those who used to make TV series before. As a result, they will bring television aesthetics into the cinema. And young directors of festival cinema are initially concentrated on the cinematic picture. It is among them that one should look for talents for big projects producing films for wide audience. 

Still, Pylyp Illenko, head of Ukrainian State Film Agency, notes that due to the growth in the total number of projects the amount of those with fail ratings from the audience will also inevitably increase. But it is critical to understand that any Ukrainian project brings benefits for culture development as a whole.