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Writer's picturedailyentertainment95
5 hours ago2 min read

Movie of the Day: Stepne (2023) by Maryna Vroda

"Stepne" is a 2023 Ukrainian drama directed by Maryna Vroda, marking her feature film debut following her Palme d'Or-winning short film "Cross-Country" (2011). The film is set in the desolate Ukrainian countryside and delves into themes of memory, familial duty, and the passage of time.

Synopsis: Anatoliy, a middle-aged man, returns to his native village of Stepne to care for his dying mother. As he reconnects with his brother and a former lover, he reflects on his past choices and the life he has led. Before her death, his mother reveals the existence of a hidden treasure buried in the shed, prompting Anatoliy to confront long-buried family secrets.

IMDb

Summary: "Stepne" is a contemplative drama that delves into the life of Anatoliy as he returns to his rural Ukrainian village to care for his dying mother. Through encounters with family and reflections on his past, the film explores themes of memory, isolation, and the search for meaning against the backdrop of a vanishing way of life. Maryna Vroda's directorial approach combines elements of neorealism and docudrama, offering a poignant portrayal of personal and cultural introspection.

Themes:

  • Nostalgia and Memory: The film explores how personal and collective memories shape individual identities and influence present actions.

  • Isolation and Alienation: Set in a remote village, it portrays the physical and emotional isolation of its characters.

  • Family and Duty: Anatoliy's return to care for his mother highlights themes of familial responsibility and the complexities of family relationships.

  • Search for Meaning: The quest for the hidden treasure symbolizes a deeper search for purpose and understanding in life.

Awards and Nominations: 3 wins & 11 nominations

"Stepne" has garnered critical acclaim and received several awards and nominations:

  • Locarno Film Festival 2023: Best Director Award for Maryna Vroda.

  • Scanorama 2023: Best Feature Award.

  • Trieste International Film Festival 2024: Award for its moving portrayal of a collapsing nation.

Critical Reception: The film has been praised for its melancholic and hypnotic portrayal of a vanishing village and the exploration of personal and historical narratives. Cineuropa describes it as "melancholy yet hypnotic," unearthing "the vestiges of a past needing to be examined."

Reviews:

  • Cineuropa: Describes the film as "melancholy yet hypnotic," highlighting its exploration of the past to understand the present.

    Cineuropa

  • IONCINEMA: Notes that the film "saunters into more of a chronicling exercise of a disappearing culture than linear storytelling."

    IONCINEMA.com

  • DMovies: Comments on the film's "realistic portrayal of a little-known face of Ukraine" and its "convincing performances."

    dmovies.org

Box Office Performance:

Production Details:

  • Director: Maryna Vroda

  • Screenwriters: Maryna Vroda, Kirill Shuvalov

  • Cinematography: Andrii Lysetskyi

  • Editing: Franziska Wenzel, Maryna Vroda, Marek Šulík

  • Production Companies:

    • Vrodastudio (Ukraine)

    • Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf (Germany)

    • Tandem Production (Germany)

    • Koi Studio (Poland)

    • KerekesFilm (Slovakia)

  • International Sales: New Europe Film Sales




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