In Ukraine's war-torn landscapes, a new wave of horror films has emerged as a means of cathartic revenge against the invading Russian army. "The Witch: Revenge" or "The Konotop Witch," directed by Andriy Kolesnyk and produced by Iryna Kostyuk, takes a unique approach to this genre - literally borrowing from the battlefield itself. Real Russian uniforms captured from soldiers were used in their production, with some still bearing names of comrades who had been killed or maimed by their counterparts.
These films aren't just mere entertainment but serve as a platform for the nation's anguish and anger towards the invading forces. Kostyuk attributes this shift to the public mood during wartime. "People wanted revenge," she says, which is reflected in the graphic violence and dark magic in these films.
Kostyuk oversees a horror universe cycle called "Heroines of the Dark Times," with her latest film, "The Dam," following a unit of Ukrainian soldiers who must face their inner fears when they uncover an abandoned Soviet laboratory where nefarious experiments took place. "The Dam" is more than just a horror movie; it's also a story about trust and camaraderie among the soldiers.
Kostyuk hopes to transcend Ukrainian borders, appealing not only to fans of the genre but also to those in the west concerned with Russian expansionism. The war has taken an ominous turn under Putin's leadership, which Kostyuk believes is driven by an imperialist mindset reminiscent of the USSR era. Her films aim to combat this.
Filming during wartime poses significant risks, and safety isn't a concern anymore, according to Kostyuk. She believes in choosing locations first and then dealing with the risks that come with them.
A shift has occurred in audience demand; last year's thirst for revenge has given way to a desire for escapism. "The Dam" hasn't performed as well as expected at the box office since its release, but Kostyuk remains undeterred. Her recent success with the live-action adaptation of Mavka showcases her adaptability and determination.
Ukrainian cinema is indeed filled with heroines who embody resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Iryna Kostyuk, with her courage to create under such difficult circumstances, should be recognized as one herself - a true heroine of dark times.
These films aren't just mere entertainment but serve as a platform for the nation's anguish and anger towards the invading forces. Kostyuk attributes this shift to the public mood during wartime. "People wanted revenge," she says, which is reflected in the graphic violence and dark magic in these films.
Kostyuk oversees a horror universe cycle called "Heroines of the Dark Times," with her latest film, "The Dam," following a unit of Ukrainian soldiers who must face their inner fears when they uncover an abandoned Soviet laboratory where nefarious experiments took place. "The Dam" is more than just a horror movie; it's also a story about trust and camaraderie among the soldiers.
Kostyuk hopes to transcend Ukrainian borders, appealing not only to fans of the genre but also to those in the west concerned with Russian expansionism. The war has taken an ominous turn under Putin's leadership, which Kostyuk believes is driven by an imperialist mindset reminiscent of the USSR era. Her films aim to combat this.
Filming during wartime poses significant risks, and safety isn't a concern anymore, according to Kostyuk. She believes in choosing locations first and then dealing with the risks that come with them.
A shift has occurred in audience demand; last year's thirst for revenge has given way to a desire for escapism. "The Dam" hasn't performed as well as expected at the box office since its release, but Kostyuk remains undeterred. Her recent success with the live-action adaptation of Mavka showcases her adaptability and determination.
Ukrainian cinema is indeed filled with heroines who embody resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Iryna Kostyuk, with her courage to create under such difficult circumstances, should be recognized as one herself - a true heroine of dark times.
️ honestly? these war horror flicks are kinda a weird way for catharsis... like, isn't revenge just gonna lead to more violence? 
but i guess when you're stuck in a nightmare like this war, u need somethin to scream at 
. and the whole "heroines of the dark times" thing? more like heroes in a world gone mad 
box office numbers don't lie, and "the dam" didn't exactly set the world on fire 
. still, props 2 kostyuk for stayin committed & adaptin when u need to 
ukrainian horror movies are on fire right now and i need more of this dark magic stuff in my life 
also can we talk about how relevant this film is right now like russian expansionism is not something to joke about 
Putin's leadership is, like, super concerning but kostyuk's determination to speak truth to power is giving me all the feels 
. I'm loving how Ukrainian cinema is showing these strong heroines who are resilient in the face of unimaginable adversity 
her dedication to telling stories that need to be told is truly admirable 
! I'm like totally blown away by these new wave of horror films coming outta Ukraine 
So intense!
. It's like, she's putting herself out there too! And her "Heroines of the Dark Times" series is literally so dark and gritty, but in a good way 
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. It's not just about entertainment; it's like, she's using her platform for good 
with all these talented directors and heroines who are literally fighting for what they believe in 
!
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!
they're like nothin' I've ever seen before! It's wild how the filmmakers are literally using real Russian uniforms from soldiers to make their movies, it's like a form of revenge through art 
but Kostyuk's all about pushin' boundaries and takin' risks, and I love that about her 
. It's like, I get that the filmmakers want to show their outrage, but does it have to be so graphic and violent? My stomach is already churned up just thinking about watching one of these movies... 
. The fact that they used real Russian uniforms in their production is wild - talk about getting revenge through cinema! 
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. And can you believe they're making these films as a way to cope with their pain? It's like, we get it, Ukraine needs some revenge too 
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. It's like, we need these stories to remind us what's really important: trust and camaraderie 
. Keep telling those dark stories, girl! 
just watched "The Konotop Witch" and i'm still reeling from it 
i love how iryna kostyuk is using her platform to tackle this difficult topic in a way that feels authentic and cathartic... we need more storytellers like her who aren't afraid to get real about the harsh realities of war 
and what r they gonna do w/ the profits? invest in peace efforts or just add 2 Putin's war fund 
andrew who comes up with this stuff? borrowing real uniforms from russian soldiers is just insane 
. The film itself is all about trust and camaraderie among the soldiers, which is so cool. And let me tell you, it's not just a horror movie, it's a commentary on Putin's leadership and how it's driving Russia's expansionism... that's some heavy stuff, man 
️ just saw this and it's so messed up 
anyway, it's cool that iryna kostyuk is getting recognition for her work but let's not forget that war is super tragic and no one should be profiting from it 