Finding Hope Filming Finished

FILM.UA jointly with Intra Communications Inc. finished the filming of Finding Hope, a 12-episode series. 

Filming is finished for Finding Hopeproject; the process took four and a half months and took place in Kyiv as well as in Korostyshiv quarry (Zhytomyr region).  

The filming was done in 89 shifts on locations, in specially selected interiors and in the pavilion at FILM.UA studio where the house of His Highness, the main antagonist, was built.  

To reconstruct an epic story, the film creators used a wide range of artistic methods and techniques: they carefully selected locations, employed pyrotechnicians and stunt performers to work on the set, etc. Over 300 meters of linen were used only for costumes of the sect members. In Korostyshiv quarry, extensive decorations were built specifically for filming; most of those stayed on to become places of interest for tourists.

Project director Sergey Krutin told us the following: “This film will be different from everything shown on television, first of all thanks to its theme. Thereare no faithless people; every person believes in someone or something. The film discusses these issues of faith – not just in God, but also in friendship, love, honesty and sincerity. So this series will surely be thought-provoking. The film also tells about the reason why people get into a sect in the first place – it can be complicated life circumstances and need for help. Similar sects exist. This is interesting to watch not to get into such situation.”  

“Vulnerable people fall under the influence of charlatans who mask their intentions as religiousness and lure the victims in, destroy them financially, degrade morally and tell them lies. A human has the right to choose one’s faith and place of residence, and this is called freedom,” stressed Rimma Zuibina while telling why the viewers should watch this film.   

Excellent actors played in the film: the role of His Highness was given to Alexander Yatsko, and it is impossible to withstand his negative charms. The main protagonist, Varya, was played very well by a young actress Rina Grishina. Besides, the cast includes Sergey Derevyanko, Anastasia Panina, Yulia Galkina, Nadezhda Markina, Maria Bayeva, Rimma Zyubina, Mark Drobot, Vitalina Bibliv, Mikhail Kukuyuk, Natalia Vasko, and Vitaliy Ivanchenko. The shooting crew of the film amounted to 77 people. Maria Bayeva playing one of the roles noted that everyone on the set worked in a really coordinated way: “I like it that everyone is rooting for their own task. There are great costumes and makeup, as well as marvelous artistic design! Everything has been done in such an honest and talented manner that the audience will surely believe our tale.” 

Synopsis: Varya, an 18 year-old, lives with her parents in a closed religious community. Since the very childhood all they have been teaching her is working hard, believing sincerely, say prayers, and obey the will of the community’s leader - His Holiness. This is her whom he wants to make his fourth wife. But neither violence, nor bullying by His Holiness' "elder" wives cannot break her morale. She escapes hoping to get the law after His Holiness in the greater world, though she knows nothing about life beyond the community. His Holiness gets his handy men to find the girl, for she is the living witness of his wrong-doings, moreover, he is deeply in love with her. Street law is violent and merciless to strangers, but life at the bottom of the heap transforms Varya from a weak and intimidated little girl into a strong, willful young woman.

She is always one step ahead of her chasers, but is it enough to get her revenge on His Holiness, and withdraw her little sister from the community?

Alexander Yatsko playing the leading role of His Highness told us the following: “I am very happy to have met FILM.UA. As soon as I left for home, I started missing them. The filming process was very good and fun. Some routine difficulties were overcome in an easy and nonchalant manner thanks to the great ambience which emerged starting from the very first working day of Finding Hopecrew. Sergey Krutin and his whole team are great people and real professionals.” 

Director: Sergey Krutin

Producer: Maria Alexeeva, Sergey Karatayev, Victor Umnov, Leonard Yanovsky, Victor Mirsky, Andrey Rizvanyuk

Director of photography: Alexander Onopriienko

Scriptwriter: Elena Boyko, Maria Bek

Cast: Alexander Yatsko, Rimma Zyubina, Nadezhda Markina, Rina Grishina, Sergey Derevyanko, Anastasiia Panina, Julia Galkina, Maria Bayeva, Mark Drobot, Vitalina Bibliv, Mikhail Kukuyuk, Nataliya Vasko, Vitaliy Ivanchenko, Oleg Korkushko