Ukrainian Film Weekend
Opening Ceremony Friday, April, 25th 7:00 PM
Join us for a special three-day Ukrainian Film Weekend at Lafayette Theatre, celebrating the beauty of Ukrainian culture. Despite the ongoing invasion, this event showcases the resilience, beauty, and deep-rooted traditions of Ukraine by featuring some of its finest cinematic works. Our carefully curated lineup includes a blend of the latest films across various genres, each offering a unique glimpse into Ukraine’s cultural heritage. This event is more than just a film screening; it’s an opportunity to raise awareness, foster cultural appreciation, and bring communities together in solidarity with Ukraine.
Showtimes
(FRI) Yaroslav the Wise 7:00 (SAT) Mavka 11:30, Bucha 2:00, Red [Renaissance] 4:30, U are the Universe 7:00 (SUN) Mavka 11:30, Dovbush 2:00, Slovo House 4:30, Porcelain War 7:00
-Click each film image below for our online ticket link
- Language and English Caption (Subtitles) noted for each film. Some films in English - e.g. Mavka
-Age restrictions noted as 12+ or 16+ for certain films
Friday, April 25th
Opening Ceremony; Yaroslav the Wise – Europe's Father-in-Law
7:00 PM; doors open 30-60+ min prior to showtime
(2025; 47min) 12+
Ukrainian with English Caption
Join us for a traditional Opening Ceremony as we welcome our communities together for the weekend. Included in our program is the observance a traditional Korovai (bread) ceremony and the singing of our national anthems. The short program will follow with the Historical Documentary of Yaroslave the Wise: Europe's Father-in-Law.
The film tells the story of the legendary ruler, Yaroslav the Wise, and his significant role in the formation of Kyivan Rus. It was the first Slavic State with the center in Kyiv. As a child, Yaroslav was a lame boy who suffered from bullying, never imagining that one day he would unite the fragmented lands around Kyiv and establish a powerful medieval state.
Friday, April 25th | 7:00 PM (75 min including opening ceremony)
Saturday, April 26th
Four films showing at 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00
Mavka: The Forest Song
(2023;1:39)
English
The film is based on a play “The Forest Song” by Ukrainian writer Lesya Ukrainka, with a strong foundation in Slavic mythology. An important role in the film is played by nature, which appears as the greatest force of beauty and harmony. Mavka, a female forest spirit featured in Ukrainian mythology, it becomes the forest’s guardian when her home is in danger. She strives for peace and harmony in her world — just as the people of Ukraine do today in their own.
Bucha
(2023; 1:58) 16+
English
BUCHA is a feature drama film based on actual events in Bucha, Vorzel, and Hostomel (Kyiv region) during the Russian occupation in the first months of the war in Feb-Mar 2022. The main character is a foreigner who decided to fight against Russia's evil aggression in Ukraine, a country that became his home.
The film tells about the rescue of local residents by Konstantin Gudauskas, a citizen of Kazakhstan who received asylum in Ukraine and lived in Bucha.
(2025, 1:44) 12+
Ukrainian with English Caption
Red [Renaissance] - Ty [Romantyka]
This is not just a film—it’s a filmed theatrical production of a musical specifically designed for the big screen. This first-of-its-kind original historical musical in Ukraine sheds light on the lives of writers who shaped the nation against the oppressive Soviet regime. The performance explores the tragedy at the “Word” House in Kharkiv, where hundreds of the Ukrainian cultural movement were killed.
U are the Universe
(2024, 1:30)
Ukrainian/French with English Caption
In the near future, Ukrainian space trucker Andriy Melnyk transports nuclear waste aboard his cargo ship to Jupiter's abandoned moon, Callisto. During a routine flight, the Earth suddenly explodes, but Andriy manages to survive. He becomes the last person in the universe until he receives a call from Catherine, a French woman on a distant space station. Despite the obstacles, Andriy decides to find her.
Sunday, April 27th
Four films showing at 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00
Mavka: The Forest Song
(2023;1:39)
English
The film is based on a play “The Forest Song” by Ukrainian writer Lesya Ukrainka, with a strong foundation in Slavic mythology. n important role in the film is played by nature, which appears as the greatest force of beauty and harmony. Mavka, a female forest spirit featured in Ukrainian mythology, it becomes the forest’s guardian when her home is in danger. She strives for peace and harmony in her world — just as the people of Ukraine do today in their own.
Dovbush
(2023,2:04) 16+
Ukrainian with English subtitles
Carpathians. Beginning of the 18th century. The brutal rule of the Polish nobility forces Hutsuls to flee to the mountains. Two brothers, Oleksa and Ivan Dovbush, find themselves to be outlaws and become opryshoks. In search of revenge on the lords for the murder of Dovbush's parents, the brothers become enemies of each other. One yearns for money, the other for justice. The nobility does everything possible to destroy Dovbush.
“Slovo” House
(2024; 2:00) 16+
Ukrainian, English Caption
Kharkiv, the 1930s. The heyday of Ukrainian art. Young poet Vladimir Akimov happily settles in at the new luxury "Slovo" House built specifically for artists, but nobody takes his literary efforts seriously. But fate smiles at him. The head of the political intelligence agency suggests that he become the author of a play written earlier. He agrees, signing a non- disclosure. The poet has no idea what price he will pay for this success.
Porcelain War
(2024; 1:27)
Ukrainian with English subtitles
Winner of Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize, this stunning documentary follows three Ukrainian artists who stay behind, wielding their art, cameras, and guns to fight for their homeland. “Ukraine is like porcelain, easy to break yet impossible to destroy.” — Slava Leontyev.
For more information please email us at info@jacacorp.com