Venice Title ‘Songs of Slow Burning Earth’ by Olha Zhurba Picked Up by Filmotor (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for documentaries that capture the raw essence of humanity, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming release of “Songs of Slow Burning Earth” by the remarkable Ukrainian director Olha Zhurba. Having witnessed the power of cinema to unite and inspire in times of turmoil, I find it truly heartening to see a film that offers a sublime look at the full-scale invasion from an intimate and poignant perspective.

“The second film by Ukrainian director Olha Zhurba, titled ‘Songs of Slow Burning Earth,’ has been purchased by Filmotor, a sales company based in Prague. This acquisition takes place before its debut at the Venice Film Festival. The documentary will be shown Out of Competition as part of the Official Selection.”

The movie is referred to as a “visual and auditory account of Ukraine’s plunge into the depths of the initial two years of Russia’s comprehensive invasion,” as stated. “[It] consists of locations, sporadic characters, scarce dialogues, ambient sounds within each frame, and periods of silence that document the sequence of events as war became routine. Amidst this (metaphorical) landscape of collective catastrophe, a fresh generation of Ukrainians endeavors to envision a future.”

As a film enthusiast, I was captivated from the get-go by this remarkable production. The extended cinematic sequences were masterfully crafted, creating an immersive experience. This visually breathtaking film provides a profound perspective on the full-scale invasion, giving us an intimate look at how war permeates the lives of Ukrainians, whether they’re on the battlefield or in other parts of the country. It’s a poignant portrayal that makes the reality of war palpable and unavoidable.

As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to share that our film made its grand debut at the Venice Film Festival. This is an exceptional beginning, and we’re confident it will lead to a successful festival circuit ahead. Our movie is a collaborative effort with ARTE France, and it’s already caught the eye of various European broadcasters like SVT and DR. We’re optimistic that its unique appeal will capture the interest of even more VOD and TV buyers.

“Darya Bassel’s work, titled ‘Songs of Slow Burning Earth’, is jointly produced by Moon Man, a Ukrainian production company, Anne Köhncke from Final Cut for Real in Denmark, Kerstin Übelacker from We Have a Plan in Sweden, ARTE France, and Film i Skåne.”

Bassel notes: “This movie has been much more than just a job for us; it’s been our lifeline. It’s given us a way to stay sane, face the terror that our lives have turned into, and express the truth. Since the early stages of our production, we’ve been lucky to work with remarkable individuals and institutions who’ve backed us. I’m thrilled to introduce our latest collaborator, Michaela Čajková from Filmotor. Michaela truly appreciates the importance of this film, not only as a profound piece of art but also as a bold declaration about war.”

“The documentary titled ‘Songs of Slow Burning Earth’ belongs to Generation Ukraine, a project by ARTE Group that collaborates with the Ukrainian film industry to produce 12 documentaries as part of their support initiative.”

2022 saw the premiere of Zhurba’s first film, “Outside,” at both CPH:DOX and Hot Docs. This groundbreaking debut later garnered significant recognition, winning the Willy Brandt Award at the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin and the Japan Prize Award of Honor. Moreover, Zhurba has contributed her editing skills to documentaries such as Alina Horlova’s “This Rain Will Never Stop” in 2021 and Alisa Kovalenko’s “Home Games,” released in 2018.

2024-07-31 14:46

Venice Title ‘Songs of Slow Burning Earth’ by Olha Zhurba Picked Up by Filmotor (EXCLUSIVE)

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