Ukrainian Cinema: The Editorial Office

★★★★ 

“Roman Bondarchuk laughs, and his audience laughs with him, in the face of the utter collection of absurdity and tragedy the society he lives in has become.” Berlinale 2024 review

A young scientist travels across the Ukrainian steppe with a photo camera hoping to find an endangered groundhog, but comes across a crime that will change the trajectory of his life.

Trying to expose the truth about an arson, Yura (Dmytro Bahnenko) starts work at a local newspaper that, instead of helping him deliver justice, will send him through a rabbit hole and show him a society permeated by corruption. Fake news, local oligarchs, rigged elections, and bizarre cults are all framed by a looming war.

After his acclaimed debut narrative feature Volcano (2018), director Roman Bondarchuk returns to his native Southern Ukraine, and to what is now recognisably his signature style, to deliver a masterfully crafted absurdist and timely satire.

You may also like the following events from Institut Français d'Ecosse:

• This Saturday, 6th December, 06:00 pm, Screening of "Paris qui dort" + Live musical accompaniment in Edinburgh
• Happening on, 13th January, 06:30 pm, The Gemstone Arias in concert in Edinburgh
• Happening on, 27th February, 07:00 pm, Concert with the Jen Ewan Band in Edinburgh