EXCLUSIVE: London-based sales firm Canoe Film is launching sales on Ukrainine war film Bucha Unbroken, which will have its world premiere at the upcoming Warsaw Film Festival.
The film is based on the true story of Konstantin Gudauskas, a Lithuanian Jew and resident of Ukraine who used his Kazakh passport to travel to Russian occupied territories and save 203 civilians. The film depicts Konstantin’s clandestine rescue operation in Bucha, Vorzel, and Hostomel (Kyiv region), beginning with a call he receives from a Crimean intelligence agent who sees his ability to move freely within the region as an asset. While his harrowing work saves hundreds of lives, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous, and the intelligence agency can no longer sanction his work. Konstantin must make a difficult decision that will risk his own survival and others.
Oleksandr Shchur produces and wrote the screenplay while director is Stanislav Tiunov. Canoe will introduce the film as a market debut at the American Film Market next month November following its world premiere in competition at the Warsaw International Film Festival later this month.
The film is set for release in Ukraine on November 7 and according to producers is one of only a few narrative features to have shot in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
Polish theatre and film actor Cezary Lukaszewicz plays the lead role of Konstantin and Ukrainian actor Vyacheslav Dovzhenko, assumes the role of Strelnikov.
Producer Oleksandr Shchur served as a senior development executive and comedy writer at Kvartal 95 Studio, the studio founded by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There he wrote on projects including Me. You. He. She which Zelenskyy co-directed in 2019.
Shchur stated: “When I heard about the story of a Lithuanian Jew from Kazakhstan who, instead of leaving, decides to rescue Ukrainians from occupation, I immediately realized that this was a story that would resonate with viewers anywhere in the world”
Canoe’s Managing Director, Caroline Stern, added: “Working with Oleksandr, Stanislav and their team is not only a pleasure, but a privilege. The risks they took to bring a story of this scale to the screen are beyond what most of us will ever experience, and the result is truly impressive. I look forward to sharing their message of hope, courage and resilience with the world.”
