War Halts Production of Kondratyuk’s Film ‘In the Zenith’

Current Status of the Film ‘In the Zenith’

According to Главком: Production on the film ‘In the Zenith’ has been suspended due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Producer Ihor Kondratyuk stated that filming became impossible because lead actor Dmytro Yaroshenko is currently abroad, and director Ihor Stekolenko is based in Berlin.

The project is on hold. We are waiting for the war to end and for the lead actor and director to return. – Ihor Kondratyuk

Work on ‘In the Zenith’ began before the war, but its creation has now been paused. Filming can only resume after the conflict ends. Yaroshenko appears in 80% of the screen time, making him essential to the project. Stekolenko, who also wrote the screenplay, has lived in Berlin for many years.

The Ukrainian State Film Agency, which fully financed the film, confirmed it will not demand a refund because the first portion was shot in 2021 and the spending report was approved.

The State Film Agency is the sole investor in this film. But they have no grounds to demand the money back, as we did everything as agreed. – Ihor Kondratyuk

He also stressed that he received funding only for the first part and believes ‘it’s impossible to reshoot the entire film with the remaining funds’.

Kondratyuk expressed his concern about the film’s fate: ‘I don’t know what will happen with this film; right now it’s the biggest weight on my soul.’ He added that while the film no longer reflects current realities, it still has ‘a decent script.’ Aside from this project, new episodes of the show ‘Karoke on the Maidan’ are now being filmed at Kontraktova Square instead of Khreshchatyk Street.

War’s Impact on Ukrainian Cinema

The situation surrounding ‘In the Zenith’ highlights how the war has disrupted Ukrainian cinema, which has already suffered significant losses. Films that were scheduled for production are forced to wait for stability, while producers and creators grapple with funding challenges and the absence of key personnel.

The film’s future remains uncertain, as the war has not only altered plans but also transformed the very landscape of filmmaking in Ukraine.

The ongoing war has not only impacted the production of In the Zenith but also caused significant changes in other projects within the Ukrainian film industry. For instance, producer Ihor Kondratiuk has recently addressed the return of the show Karaoke on the Maidan, shedding light on the challenges and controversies surrounding its comeback during these turbulent times.