- December 7, 2025
- 3:35 am
- Ukraine
Film “Vkorineni” (Russian: “Rooted”) is the first project of the Post Bellum Ukraine team, dedicated to preserving the history of small national communities of Ukraine. Based on interviews recorded in 2024 in cities such as Lviv, Odessa and Belgorod-Dnestrovsky, the film reveals the fates of representatives of four national communities – Crimean Tatars, Bulgarians, Jews and Hungarians.
These stories show how the lives of these people passed during Soviet times and after Ukraine gained independence.
The film premiered in Ukraine in November 20224.
Life stories and memories
In the film, four characters tell their stories: Lerana Khanum Kurtneby Kiza (Crimean Tatar), Valentina Nikiruy (Bulgarian), Peter Gergely (Hungarian) and Pavel Kozlenko (Jew). They share memories of their past in the Soviet Union, deportation and life in exile, the return to Crimea for the Crimean Tatars and how they survived the changes that Ukraine's independence brought.
“We record the memories of eyewitnesses to make Ukrainian voices in world history louder and ourselves stronger,” says the Post Bellum Ukraine team. This film is part of their project aimed at preserving the memory of national communities.
Important points and questions
The film touches on important issues such as the life of national communities during the Soviet period, their attitude towards their culture and language, and their reaction to the changes that occurred after the restoration of Ukrainian independence in 1991. One of the key issues is the issue of patriotism, and how it is perceived by representatives of different ethnic groups in Ukraine.
“The film will try to answer the following questions: how did national communities actually live in Soviet times? What was it like for the Crimean Tatars to return to their native Crimea after deportation? And what does patriotism mean to these communities?” – say the filmmakers.
Legacy and future
The documentary film is not limited only to historical facts, but also reflects on the future of Ukraine and the role of national communities in this process. He emphasizes the importance of winning the war with Russia and how it will affect the further development of all national groups in Ukraine.
The Post Bellum Ukraine team recorded 15 interviews with people of different generations living in different parts of Ukraine – Transcarpathia, Bessarabia, Odessa, Crimea and Lviv. These testimonies highlight the multi-ethnic nature of Ukraine and the importance of a shared future for all ethnic groups.
Why is preserving history important?
Civil organization Post Bellum Ukraine was created in order to preserve the memory of the events experienced and to make these stories accessible to future generations. The project also promotes the dissemination of information about the significance of Ukrainian history in the international arena.
“We talk about the past to make our future better,” say the organizers.
Directing and technical support
The film was shot under the direction of director Maxim Gnip, who, together with assistant editor Victoria Solovyuk, did a great job to convey all the emotions and experiences of the characters. Great attention was paid to the quality of editing, sound and direction to make these memories as vivid and truthful as possible.
Table: Representatives of national communities in the film “Vkorineni”
| Community | Representative | Main topics of the interview |
|---|---|---|
| Crimean Tatars | Lerana Khanum Kurtnebi Kiza | Deportation, return to Crimea, national identity |
| Bulgarians | Valentina Nikiruy | Soviet period, culture, influence of independence |
| Hungarians | Peter Gergely | Patriotism, integration into Ukrainian society |
| Jews | Pavel Kozlenko | History, culture, changes after independence |
Conclusion
“Vkorineni” is not just a film about four national communities of Ukraine. This is an in-depth study of historical memory, national identity and the future of Ukraine as a multinational country. The film helps to understand how important victories in the war with Russia are and how they determine the future of Ukraine for all its citizens.
Material published on the website NAnewswhere you can find more detailed information about Ukrainian national communities and cultural projects.
Movie trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KULA5ij162M
Leave a comment in Telegram – NAnews channel↓
