Weightless

In Weightless, we join self-taught ethnographer Khrystyna Bunii on her journey through south-western Ukraine, where she documents the culture of the Hutsuls. With oppression threatening their culture and history, their very identity is at stake. Theirs is a vulnerable life, like memories usually borne in silence.

Bunii travels from one village to the next, to talk with the local residents, at times developing a special relationship. She digitises family photographs to retain what would otherwise be lost. Recounting their tales makes the past tangible again for the locals. The often tragic memories form the starting point for poignant and intimate conversations. By reflecting on culture and identity, it becomes strikingly clear how important it is to preserve them – especially in light of what’s coming.

Marta Hryniuk and Nick Thomas are visual artists, filmmakers and cultural organisers based in Rotterdam, where they established the film collective WET film. They are also part of the Filmwerkplaats, an artist-run film studio specialising in 16mm film.

– Christiaan Boesenach