Montreal (UCC) On May 20, over 300 people at the Ukrainian
Youth Centre attended the Montreal Premiere of the Ukrainian-language film
“Okradena Zemlya”, a newly released documentary on the Holodomor 1932-33 Famine-Genocide
in Soviet Ukraine. The screening event was co-presented by
Yurij Luhovy continued by giving a background to
how the film was made under difficult conditions and how the entire film crew
worked intensively during their shoot in
From the moment “Okradena Zemlya” began, silence
permeated the room. The story of the
Famine-Genocide unfolded, weaving through the various political events of the
time, based on recently uncovered documents on the subject, culminating with
the Famine-Genocide and its inescapable tragic result, including its
aftermath. Tension grew as the film
progressed, uncovering a deliberate plan to curtail any effort of Ukrainians to
secure an independent country from Stalin’s grip.
As the credits were rolling over the film score’s
music, silence continued. Slowly,
clapping started, increasing to a prolonged standing ovation. The faces in the
audience showed the emotional effect the film’s story had on them and
appreciation that the film being was made. Many in the audience were survivors
of the Holodomor.
Orest Hummenyj then congratulated Luhovy on the
moving and powerful documentary, one, that he emphasized is much needed for
schools and the general public for greater understanding of the Famine as
genocide. He called it a chef d’oeuvre, achieved by the filmmaker’s
sensitivity and ability to grasp the subject matter, combined with his
thirty-five years of experience in filmmaking. With over 40 hours of material,
editing to a one hour and fifteen minute documentary required difficult
choices.
Following the film’s showing, Luhovy Yurij was
called to speak when he then thanked many of those who helped in the production
of the documentary and asked those present to stand-up including: Andrij Mazepa
for his graphic design; camerawoman Adriana Luhovy; cameraman Istan Rozumnyj,
who just arrived from Kyiv; Luba Demko for transcriptions; Oksana Rozumna as
co-writer; Artem Luhovy and Bohdan Paska for technical support; Dr. Hennadij
Boriak of Kyiv, represented by his sister Lilli Boriak; and for the assistance
of Serhij Savchenko and Pavlo Showhaniuk of “Zustrich”; Marika Putko, President
of UCC Montreal and Simon Kouklewsky of Ukrainian Time Radio.
In particular, Luhovy especially thanked the late
Prof. Yarema Kelebay and Evhen Czolij for standing by the project from its
pre-production stage in February 2008, as well as, Canadian consultant Prof.
Jaroslav Rozumnyj. Luhovy also
acknowledged the work of the film’s narrator Bohdan Beniuk and music score
composer Roman Luhovy.
He then asked Famine survivors and children of
survivors to stand up, among them being Mychailo Hayduk, Anna Lencko, Tetiana
Sydorenko, Tetiana Oboroniw, Vira Wusata.
Closing remarks were given by Evhen Czolij,
President of the Ukrainian World Congress.
He emphasized the importance of this new documentary, made at a time
when efforts are still continuing to re-write and distort the historical
truth. He congratulated Luhovy for his
determination to produce the documentary and called upon for continued support
to help cover production expenses and to help make an English-language version
as quickly as possible.
A reception followed, where it was further
evident how touched people were after seeing “Okradena Zemlya”. Many commented
on the use of amazing archival film footage, photos and documents. Professor
Roman Serbyn stated: “It is the best documentary recently made on the
Holodomor”, and Valentina Hayduk, the daughter of a Famine survivor, mentioned
how the film increased her historical understanding of the tragedy, despite
growing up hearing first-hand detailed accounts about the unimaginable.
To arrange for a film showing of “Okradena
Zemlya” in your city, or to support financially the making of the documentary’s
English-language version, please call 514 481 5871, e-mail Yurij Luhovy at
mmlinc@hotmal.com or write to 2330 avenue
The