Back to Bucha
Yale Screening
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We are very pleased to announce the
Yale screening of Back to Bucha. Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. |
At
Yale University William L. Harkness Hall, Room 216 New Haven, CT |
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With special guest
Director Steve Richards
Fresh from a 5-week tour of Ukraine shooting his third documentary from Ukraine for release in February 2025.
Director Steve Richards
Fresh from a 5-week tour of Ukraine shooting his third documentary from Ukraine for release in February 2025.
Richards will be on hand for the screening of his documentary Back to Bucha: Finding the Spirit in Ukraine. With footage from his visits to the area in April/May 2022 and in January 2023, this stunning film captures both the physical devastation left by the invasion and the extraordinary resilience of Ukrainians who have returned to rebuild their homes and lives. Steve will introduce the film and host the Q&A.
These are donation driven events. Which means that while there is no charge to attend, we do welcome donations to cover our costs for the events and the film. We also share half of a screening's net proceeds with foundations and charities that support Ukraine. So, everyone that donates supports the film and Ukraine directly! And the film's interviewees largely speak English making it ideal for American audiences.
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Ukraine House at Yale will share in the donations to support its work for Ukraine. To make a donation click here.
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Trailer
Check out the trailer by clicking here! |
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What we see in the film...
Like the USA Ukraine is a largely Christian nation (Ukrainian Orthodox mostly with a large segment of Ukrainian Greek Catholics), though all the major religions are represented (President Zelensky is Jewish, for instance). Unlike the USA there are relatively few Protestants, though I did find a Charismatic church forced online by the war, a Lutheran church with a lady pastor in Kyiv, even a Presbyterian minister from Dallas leading a Reformed congregation in Lviv!
All in all, though Ukrainian Christians see the world very much in unity when it comes to the war. The Ukrainian Orthodox community has broken with the Russian Orthodox church. Ukraine is an ecumenical laboratory as described to me by Father Roman Nebozhuk, a priest at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. We get a glimpse of him in the trailer where we also meet his daughter Andriana who gives us a tour of a Kyiv Kindergarten and its bomb shelter.
Ukraine is a nation much like the USA in terms of the practical nature of Christendom that thrives there. Like the USA most were raised Christian. Also, like Americans most don’t go to church regularly though many do. I definitely attended some packed services while I was there.
What I was most struck by were the moms I encountered talking about God and how He is looking out for them. Women are the biggest difference between now and last Spring. They are back. Why? Because they want to raise their kids in their own homes in their own country. It is safe enough except for those on the front lines, notwithstanding the ongoing missile attacks. Children go to school; grocery stores are stocked; shops are open. You can see a movie, get your hair done, and go to restaurants. Rebuilding has begun – especially noticeable in Bucha.
All in all, Back to Bucha is a hopeful and inspiring film that provides an insight into the Christians and broader spirituality of its citizens with the backdrop of the ongoing war's realities.
For more go to the Director's Statement by clicking here.
Like the USA Ukraine is a largely Christian nation (Ukrainian Orthodox mostly with a large segment of Ukrainian Greek Catholics), though all the major religions are represented (President Zelensky is Jewish, for instance). Unlike the USA there are relatively few Protestants, though I did find a Charismatic church forced online by the war, a Lutheran church with a lady pastor in Kyiv, even a Presbyterian minister from Dallas leading a Reformed congregation in Lviv!
All in all, though Ukrainian Christians see the world very much in unity when it comes to the war. The Ukrainian Orthodox community has broken with the Russian Orthodox church. Ukraine is an ecumenical laboratory as described to me by Father Roman Nebozhuk, a priest at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. We get a glimpse of him in the trailer where we also meet his daughter Andriana who gives us a tour of a Kyiv Kindergarten and its bomb shelter.
Ukraine is a nation much like the USA in terms of the practical nature of Christendom that thrives there. Like the USA most were raised Christian. Also, like Americans most don’t go to church regularly though many do. I definitely attended some packed services while I was there.
What I was most struck by were the moms I encountered talking about God and how He is looking out for them. Women are the biggest difference between now and last Spring. They are back. Why? Because they want to raise their kids in their own homes in their own country. It is safe enough except for those on the front lines, notwithstanding the ongoing missile attacks. Children go to school; grocery stores are stocked; shops are open. You can see a movie, get your hair done, and go to restaurants. Rebuilding has begun – especially noticeable in Bucha.
All in all, Back to Bucha is a hopeful and inspiring film that provides an insight into the Christians and broader spirituality of its citizens with the backdrop of the ongoing war's realities.
For more go to the Director's Statement by clicking here.
"Back to Bucha is a snapshot of Ukraine's resilience at the most human level: lives, livelihoods, and homes being rebuilt, religious faiths of all types being tested and strengthened, families, including with children, adjusting to the new..."normal." - Alex Gamota, President, Bear Witness
Our Partners
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Ukrainian Catholic University
For more information contact: [email protected]
In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance. - Phillis Wheatley - 1774