Photophobia
hybrid documentary film by Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík
Venice International Film Festival – Giornate degli Autori 2023
SYNOPSIS
On a cold February morning, 12-year-old Niki and his family arrive at the Kharkiv metro station to take shelter from the terrifying war raging outside. For Niki’s family, daylight is synonymous with mortal danger, and the boy is not allowed to leave the station premises, living under the constant glow of their neon lights. While aimlessly wandering around the abandoned cars and full platforms, Niki meets Vika (11), and a new world opens up to him. As their bond strengthens, the children find the courage once again to feel the sun on their faces.
PROJECT DETAILS
Original title: Světloplachost
Length: 71 min
Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine
Produced by: Cinémotif Films (CZ), Punkchart films (SK)
Co-produced by: Arthouse Traffic (UA). Czech Television RTVS Radio and Television of Slovakia, partizanfilm
With the support of: Czech Film Fund, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Shooting format: Digital/ Color
Screen ratio: Flat
Format: 5.1, 24 fps
Original language: Ukrainian, Russian
World Sales: Filmotor
Distributor: CinemArt
World premiere: Venice IFF Giornate degli Autori 2023
CREDITS
Writer: Ivan Ostrochovský, Marek Leščák, Pavol Pekarčík
Directors: Ivan Ostrochovský, Pavol Pekarčík
Producer: Ivan Ostrochovský, Katarína Tomková, Albert Malinovský, Tomáš Michálek, Kristýna Michálek Květová
Co-producers: Denis Ivanov, Helena Osvaldová, Jakub Mahler, Pavol Pekarčík
Cinematographers: Ivan Ostrochovský, Pavol Pekarčík
Editor: Ivan Ostrochovský, Pavol Pekarčík, Martin Piga
Music: Roman Kurhan, Michal Novinski
Sound: Jakub Jurásek, Dušan Kozák
Executive producers: Vanessa Biermannová, Martina Netíková
Main Protagonists: Nikita Tiščenko, Viktorija Mac, Jana Jevdokimova, Jevgenij Boršč, Anna Tiščenko, Vitalij Pavlovič, Volodimirovna Syrbu
AWARDS
Czech Film Critics’ Award
Best Documentary 2023 | Ivan Ostrochovský, Katarína Tomková, Albert Malinovský, Tomáš Michálek, Kristýna Michálek Květová
Venice IFF Giornate degli autori | Europa Cinemas Label
Warsaw IFF | Best Documentary Film
Jihlava IDFF | Best Documentary at Czech Joy Competition
One World Slovakia | DaFilms Award
FIFDH Genève | Documentary Youth Jury Award
FESTIVALS
Venice IFF – Giornate degli autori
Cinematik Piestany
Warsaw IFF
Cin East
DOK Leipzig
Jihlava IDFF
Riga IFF
Cottbuss IFF
FIDOCS Chile
Arras IFF
Les Arcs FF
Goteborg IFF
Santa Barbara IFF
Big Sky IDFF
Ibiza Cine Fest
FIFDH Geneve
© Cinémotif Films, Punkchart films, Czech Television, RTVS Radio and Television of Slovakia 2019
