ПРОДЮСЕР
Documentaries and films
Director Dmitry ZHUKOVSKY
DOCUMENTARY | 2025 | 86 min
"THE NATION'S MEMORY ON THE ARTIST'S PALETTE "
Director Anastasiya MATESHKO
DOCUMENTARY | 2025 | 60 min | Ukrainian
2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada (USOM), which has united Ukrainian-Canadian artists since the 1950s. The film explores the rich history of USOM through the lens of artistic creations and the dramatic life stories of its members. At the center of the film are four outstanding Ukrainian-Canadian artists: Oleh Lesiuk (sculptor, painter, graphic artist, and president of USOM), Natalia Valeniuk (artist, textile master, and floral designer), Ivan Lazirko (painter, graphic artist), and Kristina Kudryk (artist, photographer, and sculptor). Through their creative process, we gain insight into their works, personal histories, and the traditions that inspire them. Each piece they create is a masterpiece, forming a mosaic that reflects different facets of Ukrainian culture and history.
2025 FILMS IN PRODUCTION
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Darker Shade of Blue (2025) – This powerful documentary explores law enforcement through the life of Superintendent Keith Merith, offering a personal look at the intersection of race and duty.
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Rising Beyond Limits (2025) – Despite losing her leg to cancer at age 8, Irina defied all odds to become a professional dancer. Overcoming personal hardships, she built a successful career and now inspires millions, proving that resilience can turn obstacles into triumphs.
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Code 4.5.0 (2025) – This film follows Marichka, a Canadian-Ukrainian singer, medic, and journalist embedded in a Ukrainian battalion. Through her lens and frontline experience, she captures the raw realities of war, turning her footage into a tribute to the fallen while using music to support Ukraine.
A Ukrainian woman seeks refuge in Canada to escape the war, but her hope turns to despair when she lands in the home of Russian émigrés who support the invasion of her country. As she tries to open their eyes and reveal the truth of the horrors she witnessed in Bucha, the situation takes an unexpected and intense turn. The deeper she delves into her story, the more the tension escalates, revealing the emotional and ideological divide between her trauma and their unshakable beliefs. This clash challenges both sides in ways neither could have anticipated.
This documentary celebrates the Pavlo Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, a legendary institution that has become a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and national pride. From its founding in 1937 to its rise as an international icon of Ukrainian identity, the film follows the ensemble’s remarkable journey through the decades. Featuring exclusive interviews with dancers from different generations, rare archival footage, and breathtaking performances, it captures the essence of Virsky’s artistry and the passion that fuels its dancers. "Virsky: The Dance of Freedom" is more than a film about dance — it is a story of resilience, cultural preservation, and the unwavering spirit of a nation.
Director Olena TUMANSKA
Animated Series | 2025 | 8x6min | Ukrainian
This documentary tells the story of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, a WWII refugee who survived a concentration camp and went on to become the founder of Québec ballet. After arriving in Canada in 1952, she established Le Grand Ballet Canadiens, shaping the future of dance in Canada and paving the way for new generations of dancers. Her legacy remains a cornerstone of Canadian ballet history. The film features archival footage, rare performance recordings, and interviews with those who knew and worked with Ludmilla Chiriaeff. It is a powerful testament to resilience, artistic vision, and a lifelong dedication to ballet.
2024
This documentary explores Nikola Tesla’s influence on Canadian industry, his role in powering Hamilton, and the mystery of his possible visits to Canada.
Marking the 170th anniversary of Tesla’s birth, the film uncovers an often-overlooked chapter of his legacy. Through archival research, expert insights, and rare documents, it sheds light on Tesla’s impact on North American energy development and his potential connections to Canada.
This 60-minute Vietnamese-language documentary explores the dramatic journey of Vietnamese refugees who fled their homeland after the Vietnam War and found a new life in Canada. Through the personal stories of five Vietnamese Canadian families, the film reveals the hardships they endured—facing storms, starvation, and pirates on their perilous sea voyages. The documentary also highlights the profound contributions of the Vietnamese community to Canada’s cultural, political, and sporting life. Featuring historians, journalists, and eyewitnesses, the film commemorates the 50th anniversary of Canada-Vietnam diplomatic relations and the end of the Vietnam War. A powerful tribute to resilience, survival, and the pursuit of freedom.
2023
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Yes, You Can! (2023) – Desperate and in debt, John fakes being a life coach to scam disillusioned women. But as he helps them, he unexpectedly finds purpose, redemption, and personal growth.
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Elegy (2023) – Sam and Mel, a father and son, struggle to reconnect after a family tragedy. As they navigate grief through their shared love of music, they must find strength, forgiveness, and acceptance. Will they heal or remain forever disconnected?
Director Olena TUMANSKA
DOCUMENTARY | 2023 | 54 min | English, Japanese
This film unveils the hidden history of Japanese Canadians, who were forcibly sent to internment camps during World War II. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, more than 22,000 Japanese Canadians were stripped of their homes, businesses, and rights. Their fishing boats, properties, and assets were seized, and families were torn apart. After the war, many were forbidden from returning to British Columbia, and it wasn’t until 1949 that they regained the right to live freely in the country. In 1988, the Canadian government issued an official apology, but the memory of these injustices remains a vital part of the nation's history.
Decades later, the descendants of those who endured this tragedy continue to preserve their culture and fight for historical justice. At the heart of the film is Kiyoshi Nagata and his troupe "Nagata Shachu," for whom Taiko drumming is not just an art form but a way to honor resilience, cultural heritage, and the strength of the human spirit.
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Director ANATOLY MATESHKO
Writer Maxim KRAVCHINSKY
DOCUMENTARY | 2023 | 53 min | Russian
Few people know that Vladimir Vysotsky visited Canada three times. Here, he recorded one of his finest albums and gave a legendary concert, shrouded in mystery and unexpected moments. Each of his visits to the Land of the Maple Leaf had its own unique story—sometimes dramatic, sometimes amusing. This film retraces Vysotsky’s Canadian journey, meeting eyewitnesses, exploring rare archival materials, and uncovering enigmatic chapters of his biography that remain unsolved.
Veteran police detective Linda Gillis Davidson and former forensics investigator Gord Collins join forces to reexamine Ontario’s most perplexing cold cases. The film investigates the 1967 disappearance of Marianne Schuett, a seemingly random abduction that shook the small town of Kilbride, Ontario, and remains one of Canada’s most haunting unsolved mysteries.
Director Irina VOLKOVA
DOCUMENTARY | 2023 | 6x10 min | Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Tagalog, etc.)
This unique project consists of ten separate visual interpretations of war poetry, where poetry merges with various art forms. Each segment is performed in its original language, using music, dance, theater, and performance to explore the emotional and philosophical dimensions of war.
The film features artists from diverse cultural backgrounds: Noriko Yamamoto, Hernani Raposo, Jennifer Bettencourt, Ceinwen Gobert, Vita Shtivelman, Anne Wong, Sampradaya Dance Creations (Suma Nair, Rachana Joshi, Purawai Vyas), Nikolay Terentiev, Vera Pavlova, Celebrity Symphony Orchestra (Conductor Andrew Rozbicki), Zoreh Shahbazy, Emod Vafa, Sardaar Mohamadjani, Kourosh Babaei.
Darkness and hatred cannot be defeated by more hatred—only love and light can transform the world.
In July 1926, at the height of their fame, Hollywood stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks made a historic visit to the Soviet Union. Their arrival coincided with the death of Cheka founder Felix Dzerzhinsky, whose body lay in state next to their hotel, creating a surreal atmosphere—crowds mourned a Soviet leader while celebrating Hollywood icons. Pickford and Fairbanks left an indelible mark on Soviet admirers—songs were composed in their honor, and director Sergei Komarov managed to film the comedy Mary Pickford’s Kiss. Yet, within a few years, the silent film era ended, leaving the once-world-famous Pickford without a place on screen. This story reflects on life, talent, fame, time, and fate.
"UKRAINIAN MOTHER AND CHILDREN OF WAR"
Director Olena TUMANSKA
DOCUMENTARY | 2023 | 90 min | Ukrainian
This documentary follows the stories of six Ukrainian mothers who rescued their children from the horrors of war and found refuge in Canada. Leaving behind destroyed homes and an uncertain future, they rebuild their lives with the support of Canadian families. The film captures the pain of separation, the power of maternal love, and the resilience of women who not only saved their children but are now forging a new path forward. A story of hope, solidarity, and rebuilding life far from home.
2022
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Dream Job (2022) – A cerebral sci-fi comedy series follows Sofia Rousseau and the team of a mediocre dream therapy clinic, as they use futuristic technology to help people with various dream-related ailments and provide custom dream experiences to paying clients.
"ON THE WAVES OF UKRAINIAN MUSIC"
Director Olena TUMANSKA
DOC | 2022 | 82 min | UKRAINIAN
A Celebration of Ukraine’s Musical Heritage
This captivating documentary explores the rich history and cultural significance of Ukrainian music. From timeless folk melodies to modern compositions, the film traces the evolution of Ukrainian songs and their impact on national identity.
Through breathtaking visuals and heartfelt performances, artists bring these melodies to life, dressed in stunning traditional Ukrainian costumes. The documentary also pays tribute to iconic Ukrainian music, including beloved classics like "Shchedryk" (Carol of the Bells), which has become a symbol of Ukraine’s cultural legacy worldwide.
"WHEN THE MONUMENTS SPEAK"
Director Irina VOLKOVA
DOC | 2022 | 56 min | Polish
Monuments are more than stone and bronze—they carry the stories of people and nations, reflecting struggles, triumphs, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. This documentary unveils little-known chapters of Polish history and explores the deep connections between Poland and Canada through the symbols that continue to speak across generations.
How did the first Polish immigrants build their lives in Canada? How did they preserve their heritage while facing hardships? What moments in history forever linked Poland and Canada? The film uncovers unexpected stories, takes viewers on a journey through time, and reminds us that memory is a bridge between the past and the future.
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"RUSSIAN MUSES WHO CONQUERED CANADA"
Director Maxim KRAVCHINSKY
DOCUMENTARY | 2022 | 74 min | Russian
In the early 20th century, amid wars, revolutions, and global upheavals, millions of Russians found themselves in exile, including some of the most brilliant artists of their time. Canada became one of the countries whose cultural landscape was profoundly shaped by former stars of the Imperial stage. This documentary explores the legendary Canadian tours of ballerina Anna Pavlova, composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, and opera bass Feodor Chaliapin. Their visits were filled with artistic triumphs, unexpected adventures, and even spy intrigue, yet their greatest challenge remained the longing for their lost homeland.
"FADO: THE MUSIC OF THE PORTUGUESE SOUL"
Director Olena TUMANSKA
DOC | 2022 | 54 min | Portuguese
A journey into the heart of Portugal’s most soulful music.
This documentary explores the origins, cultural significance, and revival of fado, a deeply expressive musical genre that has become a defining symbol of Portugal. Through intimate interviews with fado singers, musicians, and artisans, the film unveils the emotional depth and poetic essence of fado, which speaks of longing, fate, and the Portuguese soul.
Filmed in Lisbon and Canada, the documentary pays tribute to the artists and craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to preserving and evolving this timeless tradition. With its haunting melodies and evocative storytelling, fado continues to captivate audiences worldwide, carrying the essence of Portugal across generations.
"CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL: FUN AND FREE"
Director Irina VOLKOVA
DOC | 2022 | 59 min | English
A dazzling celebration of culture, creativity, and freedom.
This documentary explores the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)—the largest street festival in North America, drawing up to two million visitors from around the world. More than just a parade, the carnival is a powerful expression of Caribbean heritage, resilience, and artistic innovation.
From the history of Caribbean colonization to the vibrant spectacle of today, the film takes viewers on an inspiring journey through culture, music, and economic empowerment. Featuring breathtaking performances, historical insights, and voices from the community, it highlights the carnival’s deep roots in freedom, creativity, and the unbreakable spirit of the Caribbean diaspora in Canada.
2021
"EXPELLED FROM THE TOP: A TIBETAN REFUGEES STORY"
Director Irina VOLKOVA
DOC | 2021 | 60 min | English
A powerful and deeply personal story of exile, resilience, and the quest for justice. For over 70 years, Tibetan refugees have remained caught between worlds, struggling to reclaim their homeland and cultural identity. This documentary follows Sonam Choeden, a Tibetan refugee, devoted mother, and successful Tibetan-Canadian entrepreneur, as she embarks on an emotional journey back to India to reconnect with her roots. Separated from her three young children, Sonam finds solace and guidance in her meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, whose wisdom provides insight into the enduring struggle of Tibetans in exile. Through rare archival footage, personal testimonies, and historical context, the film explores the resilience of the Tibetan people and the ongoing fight for justice.
"LUC: BETWEEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT"
Director Marina DESSYATKINA
DOC | 2021 | 83 min | English
A journey through creative crisis and artistic rebirth.
This intimate documentary follows renowned Toronto-based sculptor and animator Luc Bihan as he navigates a midlife creative block while running a thriving art school. Granting the filmmakers rare access to his day-to-day life, Bihan shares his struggles, doubts, and ultimate search for artistic renewal.
Through interviews and cinéma vérité footage, the film provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a successful art school, the emotional toll of creative burnout, and the profound process of rekindling inspiration. Exploring inspiration, time, craftsmanship, skills, and stillness, it speaks to artists, educators, and anyone longing for creativity’s therapeutic power in everyday life.
"THE WIND BREATHES WHERE HE WILLS"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOC | 2021 | 90min | Ukrainian
A story of faith, resistance, and survival in the face of occupation. This documentary follows Father Ivan, a Ukrainian priest whose life was forever changed by Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. When “little green men” seized the peninsula, his family—his wife Svetlana and their four children, two of whom are also priests—found themselves at a crossroads, torn between staying true to their faith and fleeing persecution. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that the events in Crimea were only a prelude to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Through personal testimonies, raw footage, and a deeply human perspective, the film captures the impact of war on those who refuse to abandon their beliefs and homeland.
2020
"YIDDISH SOUNDS OF CANADA"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOC | 2020 | 52min | English
A lost archive. Forgotten songs. A history nearly erased.
This documentary tells the incredible story of Moisei Beregovsky, a Ukrainian-Jewish ethnomusicologist who, in the 1930s and 1940s, collected hundreds of Jewish songs with the goal of preserving Yiddish musical folklore. His work took a dramatic turn when he began recording songs created by Jews in ghettos, concentration camps, partisan units, and during evacuation. However, after World War II, during the wave of Soviet anti-Semitism, Beregovsky was arrested for “Jewish nationalism” and sent to the Gulag. His invaluable archive was presumed lost—until the 1990s, when University of Toronto professor Anna Shternshis accidentally rediscovered it in Kyiv.Now, decades later, a group of international musicians in Canada has come together to bring these forgotten songs back to life, reinterpreting them with the popular Soviet melodies of the era.
"BORIS VOLKOV"
Director Maxim KRAVCHINSKY
DOC | 2020 | 77min | Russian
Boris Volkoff, known as “Mr. Ballet” in Canada, was a pioneer who founded Toronto’s first ballet studio and represented the country at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His students went on to establish the National Ballet of Canada, yet today, his name is barely remembered.
Despite his profound influence on Canadian dance, his legacy has been overlooked, if not erased. Why is the man who shaped the foundation of Canadian ballet now almost forgotten? Why do representatives of the National Ballet of Canada avoid speaking about him? This documentary investigates the mystery behind Volkoff’s disappearance from history and seeks to restore his rightful place in Canada’s cultural heritage.
"TONES OF TORONTO"
Director Ivan KRIVONOSOV
DOC | 2020 | 33min | English
Toronto through the lens of its most passionate urban photographers. This documentary takes viewers on a visual journey through Toronto’s dynamic cityscape, guided by four renowned urban photographers who capture its architecture, streets, and hidden corners. Their work transforms everyday scenes into extraordinary compositions, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s rhythm and soul.
Through stunning imagery and personal reflections, these artists share their creative process, inspirations, and unique approaches to photography, revealing how visual storytelling changes the way we perceive our surroundings.
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Crazy Collections (2020) – Each collector does not just spend time and money but rather creates his own personal history of things. The Crazy Canuck Collectors show is its own collection of 10 episodes about an array of individuals living in Canada who have a real passion for collecting.
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Dream Big (2020) – Despite progress, gender equality in Canada remains an ongoing challenge. Cultural and societal barriers still shape women's career paths, especially for immigrants. This 10-episode series shares the inspiring journeys of Canadian immigrant women overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
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Mama Canada (2019–2022) – A children’s animated series introducing young audiences to Canada’s diverse cultural heritage.
2019
"TROJAN JAZZ"
Director Olga ANTIMONY,
Vladimir MIRZOEV
DOC | 2019 | 75 min | Russian, English
Summer 1962. The height of the Cold War. This documentary explores the historic 1962 tour of the USSR by Benny Goodman’s jazz orchestra — the first American jazz band to perform behind the Iron Curtain. With concerts in Moscow, Leningrad, Kyiv, and Tashkent, it gave Soviet
citizens a rare glimpse of American culture. Featuring figures such as composer Gia Kancheli and Khrushchev’s son Sergei, the film highlights jazz as a symbol of freedom in a totalitarian society. One of the film’s most poignant stories is of Ukrainian flutist Grigory Fedkin, who, after receiving a gift from Goodman, faced Soviet backlash and was forced to
abandon his music career.
"GIYA KANCHELI: I USED TO HATE CLARINET"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOC | 2019 | 81min | Russian,
Georgian, English
This film tells the story of Giya Kancheli, a legendary Georgian composer known for his symphonic and chamber music and iconic soundtracks for films such as "Mimino," "Tears Dropped," "Kin-dza-dza," "Passport," and "Don't Cry." He is regarded as one of the greatest composers of our time, alongside Nino Rota, Henry Mancini, and Michel Legrand. Julian Milkis, a Canadian clarinetist, emigrated from the Soviet Union as a child and had never heard Kancheli's music. One day, while driving to perform at his own concert, he turned on the car radio and was so mesmerized by the music’s power that he almost missed his own performance. Ten years later, Milkis finally met Kancheli and invited him to attend his concert. The composer’s legendary response: "Thanks, you are a nice young man, but I hate clarinet."
"AELITA: DREAM BIG"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOCUMENTARY | 2019| 52min | English, Russian
She was born in Riga, in the Soviet Union. Called by the press "chanteuse extraordinaire", "masterful artist", and "skillful entertainer", she began singing at the age of five and her professional stage life at 15. Aelita has completed two world tours singing in 16 languages. Praised as the "Queen of Cabaret" and "International singing sensation", she has performed everywhere – from the opening ceremony of the Football World Cup in Seoul, South Korea to London and New York, from the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City to the White House in Washington. Her success would not be possible without the ongoing support of her husband Jack. Their story is one of struggles and victories, joys and sorrows, but mostly a story of true love.
2018
"TO EACH HIS OWN CRUSADE"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOCUMENTARY | 2018 | 78min | English, Ukraine
The war in eastern Ukraine has resulted in massive casualties—thousands killed, tens of thousands wounded and maimed. Homes have been destroyed, lives shattered. Russia’s annexation of Crimea, followed by the outbreak of fighting in eastern Ukraine, has devastated relations between two nations that once called each other brothers. In 2015, the Ukraine War Amps initiative was launched in Canada, bringing together caring people from around the world. Their mission: to provide targeted aid to the wounded in Ukraine, ensuring they receive the necessary support for recovery and rehabilitation. This film is a powerful chronicle of war and solidarity, capturing the personal stories of those fighting for survival and justice.
2017
Sounds of Canada 1,2,3 (2017-2022) – This 33-film series is a unique musical initiative celebrating Canada's rich diversity. Featuring artists from various ethnic and national backgrounds, it showcases a wide range of genres—from classical symphonies to rock and rap—capturing the vibrant soundscape of the country.
"YURI TSEVI AND
HIS THEATRE"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOCUMENTARY | 2017 | 85min | English, Russian
This documentary tells the incredible story of Yuri Tsivtsivadze, an actor of the Jewish Chamber Musical Theater who portrayed Jesus in the first Soviet production of "Jesus Christ Superstar". In 1992, during a tour in Canada, Yuri was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that cost him his voice, profession, homeland, and family. Stranded in a foreign country, he had to rebuild his life from scratch—learning a new language, acquiring a new profession, and fighting for his survival. Despite the immense hardships, he never lost faith in himself and those around him. This film is a tribute to resilience, the will to live, and the power of starting over.
"DARKNESS CASTS
NO SHADOW"
Director Olga ANTIMONY
DOCUMENTARY | 2016 | 2x52min | English, Russian