Mariya Shevchenko

The Year of the Tiger

The story takes place in the year of 2022, which is also called The Year of the Tiger in Eastern calendars. When the full-scale invasion breaks out, the main character Oleksandr decides to stay in his hometown Kharkiv, in the Northern Saltivka area of the city. Now all of his surroundings consist of just his pets and the six neighbors. During one of the shellings a missile hits Oleksandr's apartment, and all he is left with now is his camera, which he uses to tell us his story.

Ukraine Overcoming the Darkness

The kaleidoscope of stories shines a light on Ukrainians bravely defending their land against the Russian invasion, where millions struggle for their right to exist. A compendium of short films, this is highlights the full tragedy that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It charts the course of the Russian progression across the country through the lives and communities of those affected by the wide-scale aggression, alongside those fighting for their land. The film details the force of the assault, but its primary focus lies with the strength of the communities that have had to endure unimaginable hardships but who remain resilient in the face of such oppression. It joins an increasing number of ground-level films documenting the reality of this modern tragedy. Initially, the film did not contain an indication of the directors and cinematography team, which was indicated as a team of authors of "KINODOPOMOHA".

Birthmark

"Birthmark" - is director's documentary journey - physical and metaphysical. Maria's mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, when the girl was two years old. Now Maria documents her journey to occupied Crimea in search of crucial answers - could her mother have more bearable life and how to get there, why the illness becomes a stigma and what are the ways to being together, but not just physically. Maria in search of Mother, under the sign of birthmark.