Celebrating Ukrainian Cinema: Top Film Picks from Ukrainian Actors

In honor of Ukrainian Cinema Day, September’s editorial team, in collaboration with MEGOGO, has curated an exclusive collection of films handpicked by renowned Ukrainian actors. Each actor shares their favorite film or series, delving into the emotions and reasons behind their choices. This collection offers a unique perspective on cinema and its impact on those who create it.

What to Watch for Ukrainian Cinema Day?

Oleksandr Rudynskyi

“My favorite film is ‘Pamfir.’ It’s a movie that truly blows the roof off. I would also like to add the series ‘First Swallows,’ with love for everyone involved in its creation. When it comes to films, two things are important to me. First, it’s a movie that I want to watch again. Second, it’s when I remember many scenes vividly. The world created by Dmytro in ‘Pamfir’ is simply incredible. The cast is out of this world. I would like to highlight Sasha Yatsentiuk separately—probably my favorite male acting performance in Ukrainian cinema. The soundtrack is also top-notch. And there’s the wonderful duo of Sasha and Solomiya. I haven’t seen stories where a man simply loves his wife, and the wife loves him back, in a long time. And nothing more. As for ‘First Swallows,’ it’s the first Ukrainian anthology, two seasons with eight episodes each. Some actors appear in both seasons but play different characters. This project is very important to me, probably one of my favorites in Ukraine.”

Pavlo Aldoshin

“‘Pamfir’ is, without exaggeration, a breakthrough in Ukrainian cinematography. Finally! It’s a deep, powerful drama that strikes at the heart. The script is incredible, and the cast works as a single organism. Each actor not only plays their role but truly understands what they are doing and the genre they are in. This harmony creates such dense, explosive energy that, honestly, it literally tears me apart. The story is absolutely Ukrainian, even purely Ukrainian, if I may say so. This Transcarpathian color is not all of Ukraine, but it’s an important part of it. There’s a lot of Ukrainian essence here, in the best sense of the word. I’m incredibly happy that our cinema is already at this level.”

Anastasiya Tsymbalaru

“I recently watched a film called ‘Father’ and was deeply impressed. It’s a psychological drama about a successful businessman who visits his father, with whom he hasn’t communicated for 25 years for mysterious reasons, and learns about his death. The main character tries to uncover the cause of his father’s death, which brings up many layers of past mistakes, regrets, ambiguous actions, and complex relationships between parents and children. The incredible atmosphere of the film, aesthetic shots, musical accompaniment, talented lead actors, and a plot with elements of detective work, where the viewer, along with the main character, tries to unravel the tangle of memories, feelings of guilt, and complex relationships between parents and children—all together create a truly special atmosphere.”

Lyubava Hreshnova

“For many years, my favorite Ukrainian film has been ‘The Guide.’ I still remember the catharsis and the wide range of emotions I felt during the first viewing. It’s a subtle and internally multifaceted story about humanity and support. About a wise Ukrainian Kobzar and a little boy, they are destitute, lonely but unbroken. The film is inspiring with the talented performance of Stanislav Boklan and the deep meanings embedded for reconsideration and enrichment! This is a film that can be watched again and again, discovering something new and boundless each time!”

Taisiya-Oksana Shchuruk

“‘Stop-Earth’ is a film that I want to recommend again and again. Right away, the film pleases the eye with its natural acting, wonderful directing, and cinematography. The most important thing for me, as a viewer, is when I can empathize, sympathize, and completely immerse myself in the story of the characters. Every time, the film takes me back to my school years. It nostalgically outlines those feelings that you can experience so sensitively only at that age. It reminds me of what youth, uncertainty, and discovery are. Time dissolves. You don’t notice the passing hours, days, years. And you don’t think about the future, you feel everything here and now. That’s what this film is like for me, and I hope it becomes that for you. It’s about each of us and our unique experience of contemplation, exploration, and living life.”

Maksym Devizorov

“My favorite film is ‘Homeward’ by Nariman Aliev. It’s a deep, touching film about what it means to be a real man, a father. Certain references in this film evoke associations with another of my favorite films. So it’s a combo—love.”

Grigoriy Baklanov

“To say that this is a favorite film would be inappropriate. But the most important—yes. Because if you ask me where to start exploring Ukrainian cinematography, it would be ’20 Days in Mariupol.’ Today, our cinema is more than just cinema. It can and should change the world. The film has already proven this by telling about our pain, reality, history, and the obvious facts that everyone needs to know on an emotional level.”

Dasha Tregubova

“There are many Ukrainian films—both contemporary and classic—that are worth talking about. Some you may have heard of, others perhaps not. I’ll tell you about an interesting film, in my opinion, in terms of genre, acting, and setting. ‘I Work at a Cemetery’ is a dramedy from 2021, the debut work of director Oleksiy Taranenko based on the eponymous book by blogger and writer Pavlo Belyanskyi. The main character is a former architect who works at a cemetery and makes monuments. And also deals with solving problems, his own and those around him. Figuratively—questions of life and death. The lead role is played by Vitaliy Saliy—one of the most talented and charismatic Ukrainian actors. Also featured are the acting dynasty of the Zhdanovs, Andriy Isaenko, Rimma Zyubina, and many other bright acting performances. It’s a soulful and sometimes poignant story, a small fragment of someone else’s life, in which there is a place for both tragedy and comedy. In the end, the hall was crying.”

If you are a specialist in your field and want the September audience to know about you, write to us at: you@september.ua. In the email, provide information about yourself, what you do, and the topic you would like to write an article about.