Little remains of the affluent Jewish existence in Ukraine after the Shoah, the antisemitic campaigns during the Soviet era, or the wave of emigration in the 1990s. The remaining Jewish communities, diverse as ever, have drawn closer together in the face of Russia's war of aggression, just as Ukrainian society has as a whole. Alex Osmolovsky, himself of Ukrainian descent, returns to Ukraine for Purim and proceeds to film there over the course of two years – the result is a personal observation of a state of emergency endured with resilience and lived with passion. Between the shadows of the past and the challenges of the present, between everyday life, the synagogue, and service in a Jewish unit of the Ukrainian army, his protagonists allow us to share in the Jewish experience in contemporary Ukraine. An experience against the backdrop of which the Kremlin's accusations of Nazism are exposed for what they really are: mere mockery.
The director about the film: ”THE COMMUNITY captures the strength and resilience of Ukraine’s diverse Jewish community as they navigate the hardships of war. Through personal stories and interviews with a range of characters, the film reveals their essential role in Ukraine’s struggle and explores their experiences amidst accusations of Nazism that have cast a shadow over the nation. As the film’s director and someone who once called Ukraine home, I returned to witness this powerful reality firsthand, seeking to understand why, despite everything, the Jewish community continues to see Ukraine as their home.“
(Quote: press material of world distribution)
Text: Bernd Buder
Supporting film: BETWEEN THE DITCHES AND RAMPARTS (Viktor Portel, CZ 2024, 38 min)
Following the screening on May 11th there will be a Q&A with the director Viktor Portel.
