Italy will host the 81st Venice International Film Festival from August 28 to September 7, 2024. This year’s festival, chaired by the acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert, promises an impressive lineup featuring works from some of cinema’s most celebrated directors, including Pedro Almodóvar, Pablo Larraín, Luca Guadagnino, and Todd Phillips.
The festival’s lineup underscores its dedication to showcasing a rich tapestry of global storytelling. Ukraine’s State Film Agency has announced that two Ukrainian films will make their mark at the festival:
• Songs of Slow Burning Earth by Olha Zhurba, which will be showcased in the Out of Competition – Non-Fiction section.
• Honeymoon by Zhanna Ozirna, selected for the Biennale College Cinema program.
Songs of Slow Burning Earth, a co-production between Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden, and France, is a documentary that marks Olha Zhurba’s second feature film. The documentary offers a profound glimpse into life in Ukraine during the initial two years following Russia’s full-scale invasion. From the frantic mass evacuations that marked the conflict’s onset to the gradual acclimatization to daily wartime existence, the film captures the evolving reality faced by Ukrainians. Through intimate and striking imagery, it chronicles the societal transformation from the initial panic of war’s early days to a grim acceptance of the death and devastation that have become a harsh new normal. Zhurba’s film is not just a record of events but a poignant exploration of resilience in the face of relentless adversity.
Honeymoon marks Zhanna Ozirna’s debut feature film, delving into the harrowing story of Taras and Olya, a couple trapped under occupation. The film intricately explores their evolving relationship and fears as they navigate extreme conditions.
Ozirna describes her film with profound introspection: “This story stems from an acquaintance of mine living in a Kyiv suburb. In essence, it reflects the experiences of many in our circle, and for some, it is intensely personal. Filmmaking became my means of reconnecting with our altered reality and, I hope, initiating a journey of healing and easing the weight of guilt. I felt a pressing need to translate this narrative into a portrayal of my own war experience—the trials my generation faces and the tough decisions we must make. It’s about reassessing our values and understanding what truly matters.”
At the Venice Film Festival, “Ukrainian Day” will spotlight Ukrainian cinema with a key discussion involving top Ukrainian and international film figures. This event highlights the festival’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian filmmakers in these challenging times.
To provide some background, the Venice Film Festival is known as the world’s oldest film festival, established in 1932 with the support of Benito Mussolini. Held annually on the enchanting Lido Island, the festival’s most esteemed accolade is the illustrious “Golden Lion.”
