Will Ukraine’s movie grab gold on Oscar night?
Valentyn Vasianovich’s Atlantis, one of the most acclaimed Ukrainian films of recent years, has been selected to represent our country at the 93rd Academy Awards. The 106-minute post-war drama will compete for the Oscar trophy in the Best International Feature Film race.
The post-apocalyptic story unravels in 2025, following Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor and triumph in the war in eastern regions. Kyiv regains control over Donbas, though its territory is declared unsuitable for life. A new love is born amid devastation.
Only non-professional actors star in the movie, among them Andriy Rymaruk, a former intelligence officer and volunteer of the Come Back Alive charity foundation, Liudmyla Bileka, a paramedic, and Vasyl Antoniak, a Joint Forces Operation volunteer. The shooting took place in Mariupol and Kyiv and was partly funded by state authorities.
Atlantis premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won a prize in the Horizons section. Over the past year, the film has been an international success – it was showcased at more than 50 festivals. In addition to the Venice recognition, it garnered another four Grand prizes. HBO Eastern Europe and distributors from three European countries acquired the movie. To top it off, Atlantis entered the long list for the European Film Academy awards.
It will be screened in national theatres starting 5 November. So don’t miss it.
The 93rd 2020 Film Achievement Academy Awards will take place on 25 April 2021 in Los Angeles. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Ukraine’s Altlantis will take home that coveted trophy.
