The Oscar Committee of Poland has chosen the film that will represent the country at the 'Oscar 2025' awards. The film 'Under the Volcano,' directed by Damian Kocur, tells the story of a Ukrainian family who receive the news of the full-scale invasion while on vacation abroad. The film will be presented in the 'Best International Feature Film' category, according to the Oscar Committee of Poland.
The plot centers around the Kovalenko family, who were vacationing in Tenerife in February 2022. On their last day, they learn that Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The family decides to stay in Spain, where they struggle with isolation, debts, and family conflicts. The story is told from the perspective of the 16-year-old daughter, Sofia. The screenplay was written by directors Damian Kocur and Marta Konarzewska. The main roles in 'Under the Volcano' are played by Ukrainian actors Roman Lutskiy ('Reflection,' 'The Stolen Princess'), Anastasia Karpenko ('Me and Felix,' 'How is Katya?'), Sofia Berezovska, and Fedor Puhachov.
The cinematographer is Mykyta Kuzmenko, known for his work on 'Pamfir' and 'Living Fire.' After the announcement that a Ukrainian-language film was nominated for the award from Poland, the network was flooded with criticism regarding this decision by the Oscar Committee. However, Damian Kocur stated on his Facebook page that it was important for him to make a film about relevant issues.
'I made a film about what I consider important and what can resonate with all of us. As a person who should have empathy, I made a film about people we cannot forget, and they are not only Ukrainians,' the director emphasized.
The premiere of 'Under the Volcano' took place on September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and at the end of the month, it will be shown in the main competition program of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. This autumn, the film will also be presented at major European and global festivals.
