The Khanenko Museum, in collaboration with the MIR&CO PRODUCTION film studio, has created a short documentary film titled "Shadows and Walls." It depicts how the museum operates during the full-scale Russian invasion. The museum shared this information on its online platforms, and a teaser of the film can be viewed on YouTube.
In the film, viewers will see previously unpublished footage, including the evacuation of the museum's collection and videos from surveillance cameras during the Russian missile attack on October 10, 2022.
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While conserving the collection, museum workers discovered what the museum went through in the 1940s during World War II. They were aided by the memories of Vasyl Ovchinnikov, the museum's director at the time.
"We understand how difficult it was for Ukrainians to preserve true information, document history during the times of the USSR. Today, we not only have technological capabilities for high-quality documentation but also the opportunity to openly share and preserve our memories," as stated in the film's press release.
The museum's team in the film explains why they decided to continue their activities during the invasion, how they did it, and what formats emerged in the empty halls.
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The Khanenko Museum has become a kind of Mecca for foreign journalists because they all became curious about how we operate. They wonder, "Why do we work during the war? Does anyone really need this?" - says Daria Sukhostavets, the museum's communications specialist.
"Everyone says, 'Sure, we understand, but why art? It doesn't seem to have any utility.' But it's not clear. Pavlo Makov said something profound. He said that art serves no practical purpose, but we need it to somehow live, to endure this life. Perhaps that's the essence," says Yulia Vaganova, acting director-general of the Khanenko Museum, in the film.
The film was created with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Fund. The premiere screening will take place at the Hanenko Museum on Monday, October 23, at 18:30. Admission is free.
