33 Films of Independent Ukraine available for free viewing
The Kyivstar TV film and television platform offers a selection of 33 Ukrainian films and series created during Ukraine's independence. These can be viewed for free from August 23 to 26.
On August 24, Ukraine celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its independence. Over these 33 years, the country has produced dozens of films and series across various genres. Some of these have won international film awards, including this year’s first Oscar for Ukraine, awarded to the documentary "20 Days in Mariupol."
To mark this significant national holiday, the Kyivstar TV film and television platform offers a selection of 33 films of independent Ukraine that can be watched for free.
Feature Films
“Pamfir” – one of the best films of 2023 according to “The Guardian”
The crime drama "Pamfir" by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk premiered in May 2022 at the 75th Cannes Film Festival and caused a public stir. It tells the story of a smuggler named Leonid, nicknamed "Pamfir." The events in the film take place in Bukovina during the Malanka festival, offering viewers a glimpse into beautiful Ukrainian traditions.
"Luxembourg, Luxembourg" — best director award at the 20th Monte Carlo International Festival
The tragicomedy "Luxembourg, Luxembourg" by Antonio Lukich became a favorite among Ukrainian audiences, grossing over 34 million hryvnias in the domestic box office and ranking 11th in the list of Ukrainian films with the highest box office earnings of all time.
The film follows two brothers, twins Vasyl and Mykola from Lubny, who are completely different in character. They find out that their father, who left them to live in Europe, is now on his deathbed. They have very little time to travel to Luxembourg, the "city of millionaires," to say goodbye to him, and possibly stay there.
"The Rising Hawk" — a Ukrainian-American co-production that won 3 "Golden Dzyga" awards
The historical action film "The Rising Hawk," directed by Akhtem Seitablaiev and John Wynn, won three "Golden Dzyga" awards for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup.
The film is set in 1241, as a Mongol horde led by Khan Burunda moves west, destroying everything in its path. Reaching the high Carpathian Mountains, the army halts at the foot of the mountains. However, during the night, a few local hunters—the Berkut brothers—sneak into the camp and free the prisoners. Furious, the Khan decides to take a shortcut to exact revenge and destroy the Carpathian settlements. He finds a traitor among the locals who reveals a secret mountain passage. But the small community of mountain hunters, led by Zakhar Berkut, has a plan to stop the numerous enemy forces once and for all.
Also available in the selection are the films "Carol of the Bells”, "My Thoughts Are Silent”, “Rhino”, "Me and Felix”, "Kosa Nostra. Mom's on Her Way", "Sniper: The White Raven”, "I, Nina”, "The Inglorious Serfs”, "Black Raven”, "The Other Franco”, and "Maxim Osa: The Gold of the Dogheads”.
Documentary Feature Films
"20 Days in Mariupol" — over 20 Awards and 40 Nominations
Ukraine's first Oscar—"20 Days in Mariupol" by Mstyslav Chernov in the category of Best Documentary Feature. But the Oscar is not the only accolade: the film has won over 20 awards and 40 nominations. "20 Days in Mariupol" has become the highest-grossing Ukrainian documentary.
The film "20 Days in Mariupol" chronicles the first weeks of fighting in the besieged city of Mariupol, Donetsk region, which began on February 24, 2022, following the full-scale invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine. The film was created by director and photographer Mstyslav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and producer and journalist Vasilisa Stepanenko.
Series
"Catch Kaidash" — "Golden Dzyga" for Best Fiction Series in 2021
The story unfolds in the village of Semigory, near Kyiv, between 2005 and 2014, in the family of Omelko Kaidash and Marusia Kaidash. The series, based on the famous literary work by Ivan Nechuy-Levytskyi, is filled with various dramatic confrontations among all family members, reaching its peak in 2014 when the family is divided by the Revolution of Dignity.
"Occupied" — the story of Ukrainian resistance in occupied territories
The series takes place during the full-scale Russian invasion. The main character, Roman, helps his ex-wife Yulia and their son escape the city to the village where Yulia's parents live. The village seems safer, but within hours it is occupied. Russian invaders quickly establish their rules, looting stores, searching homes, and brutally punishing anyone who resists. Frightened and confused, the locals find themselves trapped but do not lose hope for liberation. Realizing that help will take time, Roman decides to take action and joins the partisan movement.
"First Days" — the first Ukrainian TV project to have its digital premiere on Netflix Simultaneously in Ukraine and 18 European countries
The Ukrainian anthology series "First Days" premiered in 2023. The series depicts the events of the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The script was inspired by real stories of ordinary Ukrainians who stayed in their homeland after the start of the Russian invasion. The series consists of six fictional short films: "Family," "At the Zoo," "White," "Kyiv – Berlin," "Mothers," "House with a Star."
Also available in the selection are the series "One Family”, "District Officer from DVRZ”, "House of Happiness”, "The Head”, "Bot Farm”, "Women's Doctor”, "Ordinary Man”, "Naval Police: Chornomorsk”, "The Way Home”, "Cuckoos”, "Friends”, "Carrier” and "The Connection”.
To watch these films and series for free, simply log in to Kyivstar TV using your mobile phone number. Users of all mobile operators can access this content.
