On August 24, 2023, the long-awaited film “Dovbush. The Secret of the Black Mountains” debuted on screens in Ukraine. The story, based on the Robin Hood archetype, about the fate of a Carpathian highwayman known from legends, who robbed aristocrats in the 18th century and distributed the loot to the poor, has already attracted over half a million viewers to cinemas. According to reports, the production has so far earned $2 million, becoming the second highest-grossing film in Ukrainian cinema in 30 years.
The Ukrainian production is breaking viewing records. Why was it decided to premiere during the war?
The last slap on the set of “Dovbush” took place in July 2021. Initially, the film was supposed to be released in Ukrainian cinemas in May 2022, but the Russian invasion prevented it. It was then decided that the premiere would take place only after the end of the war. However, the director, Oles Sanin, did not agree with the distributors’ decision. In an interview with The Washington Post, he revealed that he managed to convince decision-makers to change their minds, and the key argument was the “spiritual victory” that, in his opinion, the Ukrainians had won over the enemy. For this reason, the official premiere was scheduled for Ukraine’s Independence Day. – The film is about hope, about heroes who are very important now – he said during a screening at a veterans’ hospital in the center of Kiev. In turn, the producer, Daniel Bilak, added that the image is also shown on the front and has already been seen by approximately 12,000 people. soldiers.
Polish viewers were outraged. The reason is the way of showing the nobility
However, Polish viewers do not support the creators’ idea. The website was full of critical comments, mainly regarding the release date. According to many, the production of a high-budget production while soldiers are fighting for the nation’s freedom on the front is an extremely ill-timed moment.
The country is in a state of full-scale war with Russia, on the military and financial drip of the West (including Poland to a large extent), and they are making a high-budget film about the fight against the Polish occupiers.
But that’s not the end. Internet users are also outraged by the way in which Polish noblemen are portrayed, whose roles were played by our native actors, including: , Jerzy Schejbal, Mateusz Kościukiewicz and .
Millions of Ukrainians who will look at this scene in the context of current Polish war aid will learn that the Pole is a cunning beast, which helps only to be tricked. (…)
Agata Buzek decided to respond to these comments and compared the history of Dovbusz to the one beloved by Poles. – It seems that this is a difficult moment for the premiere, but let’s try to look at it as a universal story, as our Janosik, who took from the rich and gave to the poor – adding that although the story shown concerns Poland’s relations with Ukraine, it is universal and could apply to many different nations. – When we were working on the film, I had the impression that it showed a universal truth, that there are things worth fighting for, she explained. Mateusz Kościukiewicz also has a similar opinion. – It sometimes happens that certain films are shown at a different historical moment than when they were shot – commented the actor briefly.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
