The Venice Film Festival, starting on August 28, will feature the world premiere of the Ukrainian documentary "Songs of Slow Burning Earth," directed by Olga Zhurba. The film captures scenes from life in Ukraine during the first two years of the full-scale invasion.
"Songs of Slow Burning Earth" is Zhurba's second feature-length documentary. According to the director, the film "depicts the transition of society from the panic of the early weeks of the great war to the acceptance of death and destruction, which ultimately becomes a tragic norm for Ukrainians."
Zhurba noted:
"We began filming from the first days of the great war. I felt it was my duty to document what was happening to us. This will be particularly necessary for future generations. It's one of those 'letters' to the future that I hope will be received and read."
_1721766938.jpg/fO8DQpfMv7mxPirWmQ33SnAfhkeJzPYUwvZjcMV9.jpg)
Cinematographers for the film include Volodymyr Usyk (La Palisiada), Vyacheslav Tsvetkov (This Rain Will Never Stop, The Earth Is Blue as an Orange), and Mykhailo Liubarskyi (Luxembourg, Luxembourg, House of 'Slovo': The Endless Novel). Producer Daria Bassel highlights that the main motivation for the team was to honestly convey the consequences of Russian aggression.
"Our team created and is releasing this film during very painful events and transformations. While making this film, some of our artist friends were killed, some were captured, and others lost their homes. I am confident that 'Songs of the Land Burning Slowly' will speak to audiences worldwide on a deep emotional level, conveying our pain and prompting reflection on the global impact of this war," Bassel adds.
The Venice Film Festival will run from August 28 to September 7.
