Ukraine Will Present 5 Premieres At The Berlinale 2009

Ukraine will present five film premieres at the Berlinale European Film Market (EFM) this year. There is “The Living” by S. Bukovsky, “Melody for Barrel-organ” new movie by Kira Muratova, “Birds of Paradise” directed by R. Balayan, “Once I will not Sleep” the film debut of Marina Kondratieva and animation full-length film “A Good Soldier Shweik” by Rinat Gazizov in the programme.

It is the second time for our country to take part in the European Film Market. Last year it have been more like an experiment, said Andriy Khalpakhchi the head of the Ukrainian Cinema Foundation (UCF).
Besides that Ukrainian Cinema Foundation is going to present the new bilingual edition of “New Ukrainian Films 2008-2009” catalogue during Berlinale.

The Festival’s competitive programme also contains Ukrainian participant. “The Diagnosis” independent short-length film by Myroslav Slaboshpytsky will vie for the main prize. Dieter Kosslick director of the Berlin International Film Festival is rather delighted with it: “It is a very good film. Even more – it is eminent”.

The 59th Berlin International Film Festival will be held 05 to 15 February 2009. The competition will include 26 films and the 2009 jury will be presided by Tilda Swinton.