Slava: Shooting With Music

Sviatoslav Vakarchuk is the lead singer of Okean Elzy, Ukraine’s most successful rock band. He is a former politician and activist who has a PhD in theoretical physics. Slava has been compared to Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney and his songs are an important part of Ukrainian identity, part of the country’s cultural DNA. He is now channeling his talents to liberate his country.

After completing more than 200 concerts for the troops, Slava was encouraged to take his band on a worldwide tour in order to bolster the morale of Ukrainian refugees living abroad. An international coalition of artists stepped-up to support them including Coldplay. Another reason for the tour was to leave a lasting legacy in the minds of the rest of the world of Ukrainian culture – a unique culture Russia has been trying to eradicate for centuries.

The film documents the creative process behind Slava’s music. It also seeks to understand what inspires him artistically, both before the invasion, and in the challenging times his country faces now.

The film will make its world premiere at PÖFF.