MAVKA THE FOREST SONG (F/F) (2023) 

Synopsis

There is a brighter future for Ukraine, in a time beyond war! This enchanting animation carries unmistakable messages that apply to the current times, with an assortment of good guys and bad guys. Humans are in conflict with the forest dwellers over the source of Life. When young and naive forest spirit Mavka develops feelings for a human musician, Lukas, she is forced to choose between her love and her duty as a guardian of the forest. We see that the spark of rage has a costly price. We are in need of a Forest Song. Will it lead to Peace? Adapted from a 1911 play by the legendary writer, activist and feminist Lesya Ukrainka, which subsequently spawned ballets, theatre works, films and cartoons. After 7 years of production, Mavka: The Forest Song premiered in Ukraine in March 2023 and set local box office records with its opening, beating out Avatar: The Way of Water. Strong underlying messaging draws attention to the threat on nature by humans, earning support from the W