Cherkasy is a Ukrainian feature film directed by Tymur Yaschenko about the defense of the ship with the same name, a mine-sweeper blocked by the Russian troops in Donuzlav lake bay in March 2014 during the annexation of the Crimea.
First official poster
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“First of all we wanted to convey the right meaning and message not revealing all plot twists and characters. The teaser has to work with feelings and make the audience feel special ambience and emotional tension in the film. With only 90 seconds available for that it is a rather challenging task. That is why we want to see people’s reaction as soon as possible to find out whether we were successful,” said Iryna Klymenko, film producer.
The film is distributed on the territory of Ukraine by MMD UA and FILM.UA Distribution. FILM.UA Distribution will also be responsible for the movie’s international distribution.
“The story of Cherkasy mine-sweeper is incredibly deep: actually, this is about the struggle not only for the vessel but for Ukraine in general. We are pleased to be a part of such a critical project which doesn’t lose its relevance even today. It is symbolic that we present the teaser and the poster to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day. We believe in the film’s success and will put every effort for the audience to come and see it,” said Roman Martynenko, director at MMD UA.
“For us it is a great honor and responsibility to become co-distributors of Cherkasy. We will be delighted to work with it in Ukraine and all over the world. We are very grateful to the producers for this trust,” said Nadia Korotushka, head of theatrical distribution at FILM.UA Distribution.
The film produced by MMK Film service (Ukraine) and Inter Media (Poland) was made with the support of Ukrainian State Film Agency, Ukrainian Armed Forces Marines Division, Biggggidea crowdfunding platform, Renaissance International Foundation, Lviv City Council, Lviv Regional State Administration, and Cherkasy Regional State Administration.
This is a movie about novel history of Ukraine based on real events. The plot revolves around the crew of Cherkasy mine-sweeper blocked by the Russian troops during Crimean annexation of spring 2014. The ship’s crew had bravely held defense for three weeks. Cherkasy became the only Ukrainian ship keeping Ukrainian flag on its mast.
The project consultant was the sweeper’s real commander Yuriy Fedash. The cast included sailors defending the ship. The filming took place in Ochakiv, Odesa and a small village in Chernihiv region.
The premiere of the festival version for Cherkasy dramatook place on July 16, 2019 at Odesa International Film Festival. The film’s national premiere is planned to commemorate the 6th anniversary of annexation of the Crimea.
Financial support from the Ukrainian State Film Agency amounts to 17,341,862 UAH with the total production cost of 39,841,862 UAH.
Synopsis: It is February 2014. Occupation of the Crimean peninsula is starting.
Cherkasy mine-sweeper, together with other Ukrainian ships, is blocked in Donuzlav lake as the way to the sea is closed off by sunken ships of the Russian fleet. This is a trap. Our ships start giving in to the Russians. It seems there is no other way out.
The film is based on real events. This is a story about the last Ukrainian ship in the Crimea that resisted and continued its courageous fight.
Director: Tymur Yaschenko
Cameraman: Yuriy Dunay
Producers: Marta Lotysh, Iryna Klymenko
Screenwriters: Tymur Yaschenko, Robert Kvilman
Genre: historical action drama
Art director: Oleksiy Velychko
Sound directors: Volodymyr Tretyakov, Farid Mbaydin
Composer: Anton Baybakov
Vocals: Катя Chilly
Editor: Oleksandr Chorniy
Makeup artist: Maria Pilunska
Costume designer: Daria Kochneva
Co-director: Daryna Lukashenko
Cast: Roman Semysal, Dmytro Sova, Yevhen Lamakh, Oleg Scherbyna, Ruslan Koval С
Produced by: MKK Film Service LLC, Inter Media LLC, with the support of Ukrainian State Film Agency
Timing: 94 mins
