Title
POST REVOLUTION BLUES - Polish-Ukrainian Film Festival

Location
Chopin Theatre 1543 W Division Chicago, IL
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art 2320 W Chicago, Chicago IL (Aug 26 “Cars”, Disney Animation for Children)

Program

Tickets
$10 suggested donation - (773)278-1501

“Acts of Imagination” by Carolyn Combs and Michael Springate, 2006, 87’
The story revolves around Jaroslaw (Billy Marchenski) and Katya (Stephanie Hayes), Ukrainian immigrants to Vancouver,  who each find  their place within Canadian society and struggle to make ends meet and honor their Ukrainian heritage. The film touches on the problem of immigration, historical memory and reconciliation with history which resonates with the public on both sides of the Atlantic.  Beautifully acted and filmed. English and Ukrainian.

 “The Unnamed Zone” by Carlos Rodriguez, 2006, 80 min.  
Follows the stories of three young Ukrainians directly affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the worse nuclear disaster in history. They live perilously close to the exclusion zone around the destroyed station and recount their fears, dreams, fantasies and hopes for the future. There is a palpable sense of despair in this cinematographic trip to the heart of one of the world’s most contaminated places still inhabited by close to five million people, who have basically been forgotten. Ukrainian with subtitles.

“Liza” by Taras Tomenko, 2006, 28 Min.
The award winning filmmaker Tomenko follows a homeless teenage girl to understand the personal and societal reasons for the rise in numbers of Ukraine’s unwanted children. 
Ukrainian, Russian, and Surzhyk, a hybrid mix of Russian and Ukrainian, with subtitles.

“A Man Thing” by Slawomir Fabicki, 2001 26 min
Three days in the life of a thirteen-year-old boy trying desperately to keep secret the fact that his father beats him. Lonely and with no support from his mother or from school, the boy finds his only friend in an old stray dog from the kennels.  Polish with subtitles.

“CARS” Full length animation film by Walt Disney
Special screening with Ukrainian dubbing by some of the best Ukrainian actors participating in this pioneering project for this American blockbuster.  Ukrainian viewers irrespective of their mother tongue will find it Ukrainian modern, funny, intelligent, and yes cool!

“Retrieval” by Slawomir Fabicki, 2005 109 min
Follows the fortunes of a nineteen-year-old trying to make his way in society. Living in an industrial city that has seen better days Wojtek faces a dismal future. However, he has fallen in love with Katja, a slightly older Ukrainian woman who lives with her young child. But how can he earn enough money to support Katja and her child, and get an apartment large enough for the three of them?  Polish with subtitles.

“There Was A Woman Who Lived In A Shoe” by Olena Fetysova , 2005, 30 min.
Documentaries about homeless children on the streets of Ukrainian cities are a common sight in countries in transition. This film is about a couple who offer their own solution to this problem. They take in homeless children into their own family and create a home for them, a private crisis center for orphans.  Original Ukrainian with subtitles.

Discussions moderated by Yuri Shevchuk, film critic and director of Columbia University Ukrainian Film Club; lecturer Ukrainian language and culture at Columbia University in New York and Zbigniew Banas film critic and member Chicago Film Critics Association.  Distinguished speakers include:

Carolyn Combs was born in New York City and is a graduate of University of Manitoba (MA). Ms. Combs currently lives and works in Vancouver, Canada.

Adam Ensalaco is a graduate of the Human Rights Studies program at the University of Dayton and is the Senior City Coordinator for Greenpeace in Chicago.                                                
Slawomir Fabicki was born in Warsaw, Poland and is a graduate of The Lodz Film School and member of European Film Academy. His short film “A Man Thing” was a 2002 Oscar ®  Nominee.                                                

Alton Miller came to Chicago in 1983 as general director Chicago City Ballet and in 1984 was named 
press secretary for Chicago’s first black mayor Harold Washington a position held until the mayor’s
death.  He’s written three books, is associate dean School of Media Arts Columbia College Chicago and
“Polish” by marriage.

Stephen Steim is an administrator in Development and Outreach at Human Rights Watch working with
Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee and its auxiliary committee, the Human Rights Watch
Chicago Network.

Chopin Theatre is an independent arts center in the heart of Chicago’s artistic neighborhood, Wicker Park.  Founded in 1990 Chopin Theatre has had over 7,000 presentations (5,000 theatrical, 900 film, 800 poetry evenings and over 100 music events).  Chopin Theatre has also produced over 110 of its own productions, and has hosted performers from probably every state in the U.S. and from over 40 countries.

Columbia University's Ukrainian Film Club (UFCCU) is a forum for Ukrainian cinema in North America. Since its establishment in October 2004, the Club has become a unique international initiative connecting Ukrainian filmmakers with the world. The Ukrainian Film Club acts as a much-needed conduit for international access to the best and most creative Ukrainian films and provides a sense of global perspective to Ukrainian film makers as well as a sources for artistic inspiration to the North American public. 

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village. The UIMA is a museum and gallery serving the local community and the greater Chicago area with an ongoing program of innovative and challenging cultural exhibitions, literary events, film screenings and music recitals. Major exhibits and a permanent collection showcase the work of Chicago and international artists as well as works of artists of Ukrainian descent.