"Grammy-winning composer Sam Slater's score accompanies the Ukrainian documentary 'Divia,' which delves into the ravages of war, employing a method similar to the film 'Koyaanisqatsi.'"
In the heart of Ukraine, filmmaker Dmytro Hreshko is creating a stir with his latest documentary, "Divia." The producer, Polina Herman, considers this project particularly important, not just for Ukraine, but for the world, and for drawing attention to current events.
Hreshko's work is inspired by a rich cinematic legacy, particularly films like "Koyaanisqatsi," a wordless documentary released in 1982, and its successors in the Qatsi trilogy. These films, known for their non-narrative structure and evocative music, have encouraged personal reflection on the modern world's relationship with technology, consumerism, and the environment.
Hreshko's documentary, like its predecessors, eschews dialogue and narration, instead relying on visual storytelling. It showcases the destruction following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing threat faced by the entire Earth, with a global and ambiguous scope that explores universal human themes and ecological concerns.
Initially, Hreshko focused on how humans and industrialization have impacted Ukrainian nature. However, as the war escalated, he shifted his focus to the conflict, viewing it as a "cultural mission" for any Ukrainian artist.
The film's score is the work of Grammy-winning composer Sam Slater, best known for his work on "Joker" and "Chernobyl." Slater's contribution, specifically the song 'Kintsugi' from his album "I Do Not Wish to Be Known as a Vandal," matches the theme of "Divia" perfectly.
Producer Glib Lukianets was struck by Hreshko's sincerity and purity in documentary filmmaking. Together with Hreshko, they tuned the music to the vibrations of the landscape, including the dust, wind, and grief in the air.
"Divia" is currently competing in the Karlovy Vary Film Festival's Crystal Globe Competition. It was produced by Gogol Film and UP UA Studio, and co-produced by Valk Productions, with the support of the Polish Film Institute. The team behind "Divia" sought footage depicting Ukrainian nature in its glory across the country to show "what's at risk of being destroyed in the future."
Even if migration to other planets becomes possible, humanity cannot escape from itself, according to Herman. "Divia" serves as a poignant reminder of this, offering a contemplative, visually driven documentary that invites viewers to interpret images and music for themselves, and to reflect on humanity's place in the world.
- The documentary "Divia," by Dmytro Hreshko, uses visual storytelling to explore the impact of human actions, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine and climate-change, on the environment, demonstrating how these issues are not just a matter for Ukraine but for the entire world.
- In the film "Divia," Grammy-winning composer Sam Slater's score, including the song 'Kintsugi,' mirrors the documentary's theme, emphasizing the global and ambiguous scope that encompasses universal human themes and ecological concerns.
- With its release, "Divia" has become a contender in the Karlovy Vary Film Festival's Crystal Globe Competition, highlighting the urgent need to protect nature and address issues like war and conflicts, climate-change, and their effects on humanity, which are integral to the field of environmental-science and politics.
