Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
freedom in a changing world through the depth of its characters and the power of its images.” “The topic is a complicated and elusive one. In the words of a Ukrainian actor I interviewed for the film, ‘Freedom is not getting to take your pants off in front of everyone. Freedom is inside—free from psychological complexes. This baggage in my soul you can’t just take out with democracy.’” “Ultimately, with Kurbas and the coup as central metaphors, the film makes an impassioned case for the crucial role artists play in transforming societies past, present, and future.” “In light of the post-9/11 fight against terrorism and the campaign to spread freedom by the current U.S. administration, the meaning of freedom becomes more and more relevant, and the significance of this film grows.” “And once again, with the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukrainians have shown the world that change can be brought about peacefully.” Reviews Light From the East has been well received and has garnered accolades from numerous re viewers. Writing for Variety.com, Joe Leyden notes, “Though it covers widely reported events more than 15 years after the fact, Light From the East generates genuine suspense as it follows a group of American actors in the former Soviet Union during a fateful period of the Perestroika era.” The Austin Chronicle hails the documentary as a must-see movie that “uses a cultural exchange theatre project for the focal point of examining a people who despite political realities are driven by dreams that become realities.” A review in New York magazine lauds the film as “gripping documentary,” while Brian Chasnoff of the San Antonio Current notes that “The result is an eponymous documentary . . . that captures an amazing confluence of human themes and historic events.” An interesting commentary that appeared on the Web site of Moviehole at SXSW notes: “The film’s historical significance is what saves it from being just another film about international theater. We find ourselves looking into the faces of citizens who have known only one, very limiting system of government—and we see fear, joy, doubt, and confidence as they journey into a world of uncertainty.” * * * Light From the East will be shown in Ukraine during Independence Day celebrations during the week of August 24 in movie theaters in Kyiv Lviv, and Kharkiv. For further information about the film and for schedules of screenings in selected U.S. communities, readers can access www.lightfromtheeast.com. Amy G rappell’s next project is a film about freedom of the press and freedom of expression in developing democracies of the former Soviet Union. Biographical data on Les Kurbas used in this article was excerpted from a series of lectures and articles by Virlana Tkacz, director of Yara Arts Group. For further information, readers can visit www.brama.com/yara/ From the editor. We appreciate articles about UNWLA activities and accomplishments. Seasonal and holiday stories, poems, letters, and profiles of individuals whose achievements are interesting or inspirational are also welcome. Please forward your articles and photographs to English language editor Tamara Stadnychenko c/o UNWLA headquarters. We ask that all contributors include a telephone number to allow us to acknowledge submissions and verify information.
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
