EXCLUSIVE: Actor-activist Liev Schreiber has joined the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Once Upon a Time in Ukraine as an government producer.
The brief movie directed by Oscar nominee Betsy West (RBG) explores how Ukrainian kids deal with the devastation and terror of conflict – discovering poignant and infrequently stunning methods to cope with traumatic expertise. Ivanna, a gifted artist and storyteller who lives within the embattled Kherson area, spent 256 days in a cellar of her home, writing and illustrating tales of heroism of Ukrainian defenders. In Moshchun, 8-year-old Ruslan desires of constructing a house to exchange his household’s bombed-out dwelling and goes fishing in a small pond fashioned within the cavity of a missile strike.
Ruslan along with his canine in ‘As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine‘
Earle Mack Productions/Goldcrest Movies NYC/Storyville Movies
Schreiber, who traces his roots to Ukraine on his mom’s aspect, co-founded BlueCheck Ukraine, a nonprofit that “identifies, vets, and fast-tracks pressing monetary help to Ukrainian NGOs and assist initiatives offering life-saving and different important humanitarian work on the entrance traces of Russia’s conflict on Ukraine.” He calls As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine, “A shifting and empowering tribute to the braveness and artistic spirit of Ukrainian kids. Beautiful scenes of life behind the frontlines ask us to look into the eyes of those stunning kids, take into account the battle for a free Ukraine, and be moved to motion.”
Schreiber and André Singer directed Assembly Zelenskyy, a brand new characteristic documentary concerning the Ukrainian president who constructed a extremely profitable profession as a comedic actor earlier than he entered politics. Zelenskyy was elected Ukraine’s president in 2019 after which confronted the last word take a look at of management when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.
Actor-activist Liev Schreiber (left) interviews Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in ‘Assembly Zelenskyy’
Boat Rocker
“Putin anticipated a fast and straightforward victory however he miscalculated – the comedy President turned out to be a talented and decided adversary,” notes an outline of Assembly Zelenskyy. “Immediately, the world wished to know extra about this enigmatic man. This movie solutions these questions – unearthing his story from childhood below USSR domination to the heady days of present enterprise stardom, all the time surrounded and supported by devoted associates, household and colleagues. By means of an prolonged and private in depth interview with actor-filmmaker Liev Schreiber we acquire new insights into probably the most extraordinary characters of our age.”
Schreiber served as government producer on the 2022 brief documentary Ukrainians in Exile, and he additionally EP’d the 2024 characteristic documentary Rule of Two Partitions, “a visceral and very important portrait of right this moment’s Ukraine by way of the lens of artists.”
Ivanna shines a lightweight on a cellar the place she took refuge throughout Russia’s assault on the Kherson area in Ukraine
Earle Mack Productions/Goldcrest Movies NYC/Storyville Movies
On As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine, he joins fellow EPs Gretchen McGowan and Nick Quested. The movie is produced by Earle Mack.
“Liev has been superb,” West tells Deadline. “He has come on board as an government producer of the movie, which we’re thrilled about.” She famous Schreiber’s work establishing BlueCheck Ukraine and his documentary on President Zelenskyy. “He’s actually been working so onerous to help the Ukrainian individuals since this conflict broke out.”
As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine performed an unique engagement at IFC Heart in New York. West is working with Cinetic on wider distribution of the movie.
Maksym (left) dances in ‘As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine’
Earle Mack Productions/Goldcrest Movies NYC/Storyville Movies
Together with Ivanna and Ruslan, the movie focuses on Maksym, a 10-year-old boy from Bucha who performs piano and shines as a ballroom dancer – inventive pursuits that seem to distract him from buried trauma. His mom fears that Makysym and his older brother will sooner or later must take up arms in protection of Ukraine.
Miroslava stretches in ‘As soon as Upon a Time in Ukraine’
Earle Mack Productions/Goldcrest Movies NYC/Storyville Movies
Miroslava, an 8-year-old lady with phenomenal gymnastic expertise, resides in Dnipro along with her mom. They fled Mariupol, one of many first cities to come back below Russian assault. Within the movie, Miroslava remembers their determined escape from town.
“I simply wished to drive to freedom,” she says. “I by no means knew what conflict is in any respect. I’d by no means seen it… I didn’t even know the phrase ‘conflict.’”
