‘Dovbush’ shatters record as highest-grossing Ukrainian film of 2023

Ukraine’s historical epic, ‘Dovbush’ continues its outstanding run at the box office, setting new records along the way. After just four weekends in theaters, it has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing Ukrainian feature film of 2023.

Since Independence Day premiere, the film has amassed an impressive box office total of 43,141,437 hryvnias ($1.2 million). The State Cinema Agency reports that a remarkable 304,318 tickets were sold for its screenings.

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Director Oles Sanin, renowned for his historical dramas like “Mamay” and “Guide,” once again immerses audiences in Ukrainian history. This time, he narrates the compelling tale of Ukrainian insurgents and revered national hero, Oleksa Dovbush.

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Set in the early eighteenth century, the story unfolds in a period of foreign rule, casting dark shadows over the Hutsuls of the Carpathian Mountains. The Dovbush brothers transform into “opryshkos” – mountain outlaws, but their paths diverge. One brother’s pursuit is solely driven by greed, while the other, Oleksa, fights fervently for his people.

The Carpathians become the epicenter of uprisings, triggering the aristocracy’s use of military might in a bid to vanquish Dovbush and obliterate his legendary status. Yet, Dovbush proves to be a master of evasion. The desperate lords hatch a devious plan, targeting the indomitable outlaw’s Achilles’ heel – his love for his childhood sweetheart, Marichka.

The question looms: Who will be the assassin tasked with striking the Opryshko, a figure whose immense strength and bravery have inspired generations through folk tales? Will the lords’ treacherous plot succeed in extinguishing this hero before he can lead his people to freedom?

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The film boasts a stellar cast, including Serhiy Strelnikov, Oleksiy Hnatkovskyi, Daria Plakhtiy, Mateusz Kościukiewicz, Agata Buzek, Petro Zhyrun, Pavlo Zhyrun, and others, who bring the characters to life with remarkable depth and authenticity.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine