Oleksandra Umanska

"Holy War"

Section MS18, Ayanna Blair-Ford

Keywords: ukraine, war, folk stories, animation

The story revolves around the religious divide among Ukrainians, focusing on the conflict between the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). It explores how religious beliefs have been leveraged to justify violence and fuel conflict. For many, places of worship serve as therapeutic refuge, offering comfort through a connection with God. Losing access to such a place can trigger a challenging mental and emotional journey, especially for those grieving the loss of loved ones.

This film focuses on telling a story inspired by the experiences of several parishes who lost their children to war and struggled to find support within the Moscow Patriarchate Church. The film's visuals draw inspiration from Ukrainian folk tales, where both places and people are symbolized in transformative and abstract forms. Drawing from Ukrainian folklore, the Tree of Life symbolizes unity, vitality, and spiritual roots, while the black tree represents the hostile ideology of the Moscow Patriarchate. The raven, often associated with darkness and misfortune, symbolizes the oppressive forces dividing the people. Following the journey of a grieving mother, it explores themes of loss, faith, and resilience - reflecting the broader struggle for spiritual and national identity.