Ivan's Land/Земля Івана (Ukraine, 2021)

Samizdat Eastern European Film Festival presents a UK premiere of Ivan's Land (Земля Івана) as part of its inaugural edition. Directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Andrij Lysetskyj, this poignant documentary film has previously been programmed in 2021 by Docudays UA International Documentary Human Rights Film Festival and Hot Docs International Documentary Festival.

Ivan Prykhodko is one of the last folk artists of Ukraine. He is self-taught, lives in a small village, and creates sincere folk-inspired paintings in between feeding his animals and working the fields. Ivan's perception of the world is full of beauty and joy. One day, he is offered to present his paintings as part of an exhibition at the Art Arsenal, the main exhibition center in Ukraine. Arriving at the art gallery, he is met with both an intense enthusiasm and the urge to intellectualize his art for a contemporary art circuit. Will he exchange his small village hut for a life in the city, and a society of art critics and agents?

This film will be screened as part of Samizdat's Ukrainian cinema strand.

Samizdat is supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI. It is jointly funded by the European Cultural Foundation (Culture of Solidarity Fund — Ukraine Special Edition).

Accessibility

Financial support to attend the festival is available to eligible applicants via Samizdat's Access Fund.

Content Notes: Limited references to war.

Access Notes: Mix of bright and dark images, visual storytelling, some loud sounds (singing, instrumental music).