For the first time in Ukraine, we will present a retrospective of Kira Muratova’s short films, curated by Aliona Penzii, a researcher at the Dovzhenko Centre.
“Women* in Cinema” is a special KISFF section dedicated to women in film. For many years, the festival has been exploring this topic, and now it’s time to highlight it in a separate program. Women around the world continue to face challenges, and their presence in cinema remains underrepresented — and in some cases, is even experiencing a certain backlash.
Special thanks to Oleg Kokhan, Sota Cinema Group — producer of the film Dummy — and Odesa Film Studio.
🎤 Films are screened in their original language, with Ukrainian and English subtitles.
💬 Screening will be followed by a discussion with the program's curator, Aliona Penzii, a researcher at the Dovzhenko Centre, film critic, and cultural manager.
❗ These films may contain potentially triggering or disturbing elements, such as the russian language.
🔞 Age restrictions:12+
This program is supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Kyiv Office - Ukraine.
Program partner of the screening: Dovzhenko Centre (UA)
Curator: Aliona Penzii
LETTER TO AMERICA
Director: Kira Muratova
Country: Ukraine
Duration: 21
Two friends from Odesa try to compose a video message to their pals, emigrants to the United States. One of them rents his apartment to a tricky girl who invents various excuses not to pay the rent. An exceptional story about people on the verge of despair who nonetheless manage to enjoy life, even if these joys are beyond good and evil.
DUMMY
Director: Kira Muratova
Country: Ukraine
Duration: 33
The title is slang for counterfeit money. On a boulevard in Odesa a street artist receives a counterfeit banknote. Muratova presents several variations on the theme. Characters have the same name. Grotesque situations develop around mistaken identities and deception, and the storyline about trust is imbued with sarcasm. The intrigue is based on the response of plain folk and pseudo-swindlers.