Ukraine debuts at Cannes, wins award for short film (06/05/05)

Ukraine debuts at Cannes, wins award for short film

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Ukraine's debut at the Cannes Film Festival also brought the nation its first prize. The 10-minute film "Podorozhni" ("Wayfarers"), which was shot by Ihor Strembitsky, 32, was awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or in the short film division at the festival held on May 11-22.

The film, which won the top prize from among the final nine competing entries, was three years in the making and cost about $3,000. Upon receiving the award, Mr. Strembitsky stated, "I am happy that you were able to appreciate my endeavor, and I'm also very happy on the behalf of Ukraine. Thank you very much!"

The Ukrainian director was also recognized individually, receiving the Norman McLaren Prize, which was recently created in honor of Canadian short film prodigy Norman McLaren. The award grants a 3,000-euro endowment, which may be applied toward international distribution of the feature, or toward co-production for an upcoming short film.

The awards garnered by Mr. Strembitsky are testaments to the hardships he endured during the filmmaking process. According to The Day (Den) newspaper in Kyiv, the director was provided with only several short reels of film which had different "technological characteristics," making it difficult to combine them into a single full-length reel.

In addition to the lack of adequate film, Mr. Strembitsky was also missing a cameraman, so he himself filled the spot, reported The Day. His wife, who served as his producer and scriptwriter, took the completed film, went to the central post office in Kyiv, had it packaged and paid 20 hrv to mail it to Cannes.

The result of their work is Ukraine's first award at the international film festival.

Mr. Strembitsky is a graduate of Kyiv's Karpenko-Karyi University of Theater, Cinema and Television. He refers to his film "Podorozhni" with the following statement, which appeared on the film festival's website as part of the announcement listing the winners: "Go to sleep, sleep, I'm sleepy, I'll lay my head on a bed that's all white, and perhaps, I'll fall asleep ... A film about childhood which will never return, about dreams which cannot be realized, about the folly of happiness or misfortune."

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