Beyond Bucha – Odesa Premiere Screenings

This weekend we screened Beyond Bucha at the Cossack Museum and the Cathedral of the Nativity Orthodox Church in Odesa to packed audiences.

I arrived in Odesa on Friday and am staying at the summer home of Viktoriia and Sasha, just outside the city—away from the all-too-frequent sirens and explosions of Russian drones and missiles. Here, in a house surrounded by an extensive garden, life feels tranquil and worlds away from the war.

Viktoriia organized the weekend’s events, beginning with Saturday’s screening at the Ukrainian Cossacks Development History Museum—a small museum recently damaged in a drone strike. A hole in the roof and several shattered windows remain as reminders that this museum, like Ukraine itself, has been built and rebuilt after repeated destruction.

Korovai Presentation at the Ukrainian Cossacks Development History Museum

The festivities began with the presentation of a Korovai—a traditional Ukrainian celebratory bread—by singers in traditional Ukrainian garb. They sang their hearts out in a joyful performance that moved me to tears. I could only wish that my Ukrainian-American friends and supporters could have witnessed the passion with which they performed several Ukrainian folk songs accompanied by guitar. I will never forget the love and appreciation I felt from this group for making the journey and for making the film.

Next came a performance by the award-winning Sunrise Flute Ensemble, which is featured in the film. These talented young performers played several pieces, including Moon River by Henry Mancini—bringing more tears to my eyes. Considering the hell these children endure on a daily basis, their resilience—and that of their teachers and parents—is nothing short of extraordinary. That they continue to focus on school and extra-curriculars like this, and made it to an early afternoon performance on a Saturday, is a testament to their strength and community.

Beyond Bucha Odesa Premiere - Moon River and The Nightfall by the Sunrise Ensemble of Odesa

The film screening was met with an engaged and thoughtful audience, many of whom stayed afterward for a Q&A session—and to share the Korovai. Most were intrigued by the views of Ukrainian cities that few get to see, and by the evangelical faith practices, which were unfamiliar to them. As Orthodox believers of the Ukrainian tradition, they were already well aware of the Transfiguration Cathedral and its Moscow Patriarchate ties. Some questioned why it was included in the film—until I explained how it became well known in the U.S. after being struck by a missile in 2023.

The day continued with a tour of the museum and a fun moment where they dressed me in authentic Cossack attire. It was truly an unforgettable day.

Richards in Cossack attire

Today, we held a second screening—this time at the Cathedral of the Nativity, a Ukrainian Orthodox church featured in the film, which was also struck by a Russian drone in November 2024.

Much of the Orthodox congregation squeezed into the parish hall following the Sunday service (which lasts several hours). Once again, they were immersed in the film’s journey through evangelical churches and cities—from Bucha to Kharkiv to Zaporizhzhia—and remained engaged as the story unfolded. The Ukrainian subtitles did their job; I was relieved and happy to see that everyone seemed to follow along.

Members of the congregation at the Cathedral of the Nativity at the screening

I wasn’t entirely sure how an Orthodox audience would respond, but I needn’t have worried. Fr. Orobets, who was interviewed in the film, had already seen it and was the one who invited us to screen it here. He was glad not only to see churches and believers from across Ukraine but also to give his parishioners a glimpse of life outside Odesa.

In the end, the reception couldn’t have been warmer.

​My deep thanks to Viktoriia, who organized both events, and also to 13-year-old Sasha, who not only translated Fr. Orobets' interview in the film but also served as my interpreter at both events. It would have been next to impossible to be here without them—and without their husband and father, who has been redeployed to the front lines. He remains constantly on all of our minds.

Sasha, Fr. Orobets, Richards, and Victoriia