Ukraine Appeal Hosts the First Ukrainian Film Screening in Milton Keynes
On Thursday, 24 September, Ukraine Appeal held its first Ukrainian film screening in Milton Keynes - historical adventure film “Dovbush”.
On Thursday, 24 September, Ukraine Appeal held its first Ukrainian film screening in Milton Keynes, marking the launch of the charity’s new film programme dedicated to showcasing Ukrainian cinema to both the local Ukrainian community and British audiences. More than 60 viewers gathered in the MK Gallery Sky Room to watch the historical adventure film Dovbush. The screening was presented in Milton Keynes as part of the international EMPOWERED UA Film Marathon — an initiative led by the Watch Ukrainian! Association, supported by the MHP‑Hromadi Charitable Foundation and assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. In the United Kingdom, the marathon is organised by KRYLA Culture – Community & Art Organisation, with Ukraine Appeal (1199404) serving as the local organiser in Milton Keynes.
This milestone event marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ukraine Appeal, which will continue organising Ukrainian‑language film screenings and introducing contemporary Ukrainian cinema to audiences across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
About the Film: “Dovbush”
Often described as Hutsul fantasy, the Ukrainian Legend of King Arthur, or compared to Pirates of the Caribbean and Braveheart, “Dovbush” is one of the most ambitious and expensive films ever produced in Ukraine. The movie brings to life the story of the legendary Carpathian outlaw brothers Oleksa and Ivan Dovbush, who led uprisings against Polish nobility in the 18th century.
The film portrays the world of the opryshky — groups of Carpathian rebels who fought injustice and protected ordinary villagers. Their legacy, deeply rooted in Ukrainian folklore, is reflected in the film’s sweeping mountain landscapes, detailed period costumes and dynamic battle scenes.
At its heart, Dovbush presents Oleksa as a symbol of the Ukrainian spirit: a man who longs for peace and dignity on his own land, yet is ready to sacrifice everything to defend his people’s freedom. Although the film centres on male characters, it also highlights the powerful figure of Marichka, Oleksa’s fiancée — a character intended to echo the experiences of modern Ukrainian women who send their loved ones to defend Ukraine today.
The screening was presented in Ukrainian with English subtitles, allowing both Ukrainian and British audiences to enjoy the film together.
Behind the Scenes: Fascinating Facts About “Dovbush”
Work on the film spanned almost ten years — from developing the script and scouting locations to planning large‑scale battle scenes and completing the final shoot.
108 days of filming across 50 Carpathian locations.
498 actors took part in a single crowd scene — a record for Ukrainian cinema.
Filming began in 2018, paused due to technical issues and COVID‑19, and concluded in 2021.
The film premiered on 24 August 2023 after the original 2022 release was postponed due to Russia’s full‑scale invasion.
Many of the actors and stunt performers came from patriotic Ukrainian organisations, including Plast and historical reenactment groups. A significant number of them joined the fight against Russia. In November 2024, the film’s director, Oles Sanin, reported that five members of the production team had been killed and another seven were missing. At that time, around 70 people involved in the making of Dovbush were still serving in Ukraine’s Defence Forces — including actors, stunt performers, film technicians, artists and camera operators.
Over 3,000 people worked on the production, including creating more than 1,000 handmade costumes and a full‑scale fortress built near Kyiv.
Costume designers sourced authentic materials, including hand‑woven hutsul guni (a traditional outer garment handmade from sheep’s wool) and bespoke jewellery weighing over 50 kg.
The film’s dialogue is stylised to resemble the Hutsul dialect while remaining understandable to Ukrainian speakers nationwide.
With a budget of 120 million UAH, it is one of the most expensive Ukrainian films ever made.
In 2023, the adventure‑historical blockbuster Dovbush became the highest‑grossing Ukrainian feature film. Over four weekends, it earned more than 43 million UAH, with 304,318 tickets sold nationwide.
Looking Ahead
The screening brought together residents of Milton Keynes and neighbouring towns, creating a welcoming space for both Ukrainians and Britons to experience Ukrainian cinema. For many attendees, it was a chance to reconnect with their culture, language and heritage while being far from home.
Ukraine Appeal is proud to introduce Ukrainian filmmaking to British audiences and to ensure that Ukrainians in Milton Keynes can continue enjoying films in their native language.
We are delighted that the screening was so warmly received, and Ukraine Appeal is already preparing future Ukrainian film events in Milton Keynes. Our aim is to build a vibrant cultural programme that celebrates Ukrainian heritage, strengthens community connections and showcases the richness of Ukrainian cinema to local audiences.
