The biographical drama film Dovzhenko. First Glance will launch in cinemas across Ukraine on October 1 following its premiere in Kyiv.
The release brings the story of legendary filmmaker Oleksandr Dovzhenko to the big screen ahead of the 100th anniversary of his directorial debut. Official media partner 1+1 Ukraina announced the nationwide rollout following a screening event in the capital.
Set in 1926, the feature transports viewers to Odesa as a young Dovzhenko arrives in the port city to direct his first film, The Diplomatic Pouch. The plot explores his artistic collaboration and personal relationships with his close friend, writer Yuriy Yanovskyi, and ballerina Ida Penzo, who becomes a shared muse and romantic interest for both artists.
Gala premiere and vintage camera display
The film held its gala premiere on September 24 at the Krakiv Cultural Cluster in Kyiv. Attendees watched the main feature alongside a short behind the scenes documentary detailing how the movie was created, offering guests a look into the filming process.
A central highlight of the Kyiv premiere was the presence of a rare vintage movie camera brought from the Kyiv Film Studio Museum. Dovzhenko himself used that specific camera to shoot his original films in the 1920s. Audience members viewed the historic artifact on stage at the venue as well as on screen within the movie.
Oleksandr Dovzhenko is celebrated as a foundational figure in Ukrainian cinema and a global pioneer of silent film montage. His early masterworks, including Earth, Zvenyhora, and Arsenal, established a poetic visual style that earned international acclaim. The Kyiv film studio where he created many of his famous works was later renamed the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio in his honor.
Dovzhenko. First Glance made its world premiere on November 19, 2025, screening in the official program of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. The prestigious Baltic festival provided the movie with its international debut before its commercial release in Ukraine.
Production challenges and state support
State Film Agency of Ukraine head Andriy Osipov stated that he was genuinely glad the movie had finally reached audiences after navigating a lengthy development path. He explained that the project won state funding competitions organized by Derzhkino twice, after the initial selection process was canceled, requiring the team to wait for a second competition.
Osipov noted that subsequent delays resulted from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale war. Despite those obstacles, he commended the production team for successfully filming a story set 100 years ago on the grounds of the Odesa Film Studio, where the origins of Ukrainian cinema began.
Derzhkino, also known as the State Film Agency of Ukraine, serves as the primary government body overseeing state support, regulation, and funding for the domestic film industry. The agency regularly supports historical projects that highlight Ukrainian culture and heritage.
Film producer Anna Docheva called the release date deeply symbolic, noting that Dovzhenko started his creative journey at the Odesa Film Studio one century ago. She emphasized that the movie is the first feature film about Dovzhenko produced by the Odesa Film Studio in partnership with co-producers, adding that it was the right moment for his story to reach viewers.
Cast members and video message
Lead cast members Maksym Samchyk, who plays Yuriy Yanovskyi, and Polina Vasylyna, who plays Ida Penzo, attended the Kyiv premiere in person. During the presentation, Samchyk shared that one of his favorite scenes to shoot involved actor Hryhoriy Baklanov expressively ripping movie storyboards off a wall.
Baklanov, who plays the title role of Oleksandr Dovzhenko, could not attend the Kyiv premiere because he was working on another film set. However, the actor sent a recorded video message to the audience expressing his greetings and stating that while he regretted missing the event, he looked forward to receiving early audience feedback and wished the film a long theatrical run.
Yuriy Yanovskyi was a major 20th century Ukrainian author and poet who worked as an editor at the Odesa Film Studio in the mid-1920s, later drawing on those experiences for his celebrated novel Master of the Ship. Ida Penzo was a prominent dancer and performer who worked across theatrical and film projects during Ukraine's avant-garde cultural era.
Nationwide press tour and production partners
Producer Oleksiy Lymarenko noted that Dovzhenko's artistic development continues to inspire the production team, stating that the producers view it as their mission to share the film with broad audiences in Ukraine and across the globe.
Following the Kyiv launch, the filmmakers and cast embarked on a press tour across Ukraine to meet early viewers, sign autographs, and take photographs. The tour stopped in Odesa on September 25 and in Lutsk on September 27.
The Lutsk event featured appearances by Baklanov, actor Bohdan Beniuk, and film director Kostiantyn Konovalov, who is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The tour planned its next stop in Lviv on September 28, featuring a meeting with Samchyk.
The feature was produced by Odesa Film Studio and Odessa Film Production in cooperation with the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, Maven, and the Uzun Fund NGO, alongside international co-production partners United Content HUB and Maya Films. The project received backing from Derzhkino, with VIVA as information partner, B&H Classic Films as distributor, 1+1 Ukraina as official media partner, and ideil as digital partner.
