Hull Independent Cinema and Kinoteka present…
UNDER THE VOLCANO
Dir Damian Kocur | Poland | 2024 | 105 mins | Rating TBC | Ukrainian, Spanish, English
A Ukrainian family of four on vacation in the Canary Islands become refugees overnight when Russia’s ongoing occupation of Ukraine turns into a full-scale invasion, in Damian
Kocur’s tense and timely sophomore feature.
At the foot of Mount Teide on the Spanish island of Tenerife, a Ukrainian family of four including father Roman, stepmother Anastasiia, teenage daughter Sofiia and young are on vacation. Enjoying their final beach day, they are blissfully unaware that, soon, their return flight to Kyiv will be cancelled and Russian bombs and rockets will fall on their country.
On February 24, 2022, Russia’s ongoing occupation of their peaceful neighbour escalated into a full-scale invasion and, overnight, these tourists have become refugees. While frantically awaiting news from home they, the lucky ones as some
might say, are left wondering what to do and where to go.
Meanwhile, the world keeps spinning; the sun is bright, the sea is blue, and they are surrounded by happy-go-lucky families enjoying the idyllic Canary Islands. We gain insight about the dynamics through Sofia’s Generation-Z perspective, sinking into the group’s inner guilt and their paradoxical issues with the safe place in which they — for now — have refuge. Quickly, the most fraught aspects of the clan bubble to the surface and, like the nearby volcano, dormant conflicts threaten to explode anew.
KINOTEKA on TOUR is Part of the UK – Poland Season of Cultural Exchange organized by the British Council, Polish Cultural Institute and Adam Mickiewicz Institute in partnership with Klassiki.
Starring Sofia Berezovska, Roman Lutskyi, Anastasiya Karpenko
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
Polish Film Festival: Winner, Best Debut Actor; Nominee, Best Film
London Film Festival: Nominee, Best Film
Toronto International Film Festival: Nominee, People’s Choice Award
Cork International Film Festival: Nominee, Best Film
Marrakech International Film Festival: Nominee, Best Feature Film
REVIEWS
“Even as a tense exploration of difficult family relationships… this would be gripping, but Kocur continually nudges at the bigger picture.” Amber Wilkinson, Screen International
“A superb film that goes beyond the usual limits of war stories to show how strong people can be.” Arash Nahandian, Gazettely
Venue Details
All the latest mainstream movies are shown at this state-of-the-art chain cinema with family deals.
Facilities
Accessible Toilets
Baby Changing
Blue-Badge Parking
Hearing Loop
Level Access
Wheelchair Access
