The Ukrainian Time Machine

  • 90'
  • Ukraine
  • 2009
When I made a film, several years ago, which critically portrayed immigrants in the United States, it was suggested to me that I had no idea of what the immigrant experience was, not having experienced it myself. So, I decided to recreate the journey of my great grandparents’ immigration to America one hundred years ago, in reverse. I moved to a small village near the Ukrainian city of Uman. This series of films reflects the elasticity of time that I found there, with villagers living much as they did when my family left.
Kalendar starts with the concept of language acquisition and illustrates the meaning of the months of the year in the Ukrainian calendar with images from the natural world. Clay draws a connection between the relationship of the Trypillian people (ca. 3000 BC) to the clay and soil and the relationship of present day brick factory workers to this same material. On This Day examines my personal relationship to the subject, and reveals a secret I had kept hidden during the making of the film. Unnamed Film, the central work of the cycle, frames and holds together the other films of the cycle, portraying the village, its inhabitants and their relationship to me as a filmmaker. (Naomi Uman)


  • 90'
  • Ukraine
  • 2009
Director
Naomi Uman
Premiere
World premiere
Countries of production
Ukraine, USA
Year
2009
Festival Edition
IFFR 2009
Length
90'
Medium
16mm
Languages
Ukrainian, English
Producer
Naomi Uman
Sales
Naomi Uman
Cinematography
Naomi Uman
Editor
Naomi Uman
Sound Design
Naomi Uman
Director
Naomi Uman
Premiere
World premiere
Countries of production
Ukraine, USA
Year
2009
Festival Edition
IFFR 2009
Length
90'
Medium
16mm
Languages
Ukrainian, English
Producer
Naomi Uman
Sales
Naomi Uman
Cinematography
Naomi Uman
Editor
Naomi Uman
Sound Design
Naomi Uman