Ukraine Produces True Crime Documentary 'Her Three Verbs' Exploring the Murder of Irina Farion

Documentary Film 'Her Three Verbs'

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Filmmakers in Ukraine have begun production on a full-length true crime documentary titled 'Her Three Verbs,' centered on the murder of linguist and public figure Irina Farion. The film is directed by Yuriy Dvizhon and Karina Pustovalova, and it was selected as a winner in the national 'Thousand Spring' competition.

In 2022, Yuriy Dvizhon spent six days filming with Irina Farion while working on a short film called 'The Diva of Ukrainian Nationalism.' During that time, he recorded approximately 13 hours of interviews and footage, much of which had never been made public before. Following Farion's murder in July 2024, the filmmakers resumed gathering material, beginning with her funeral in Lviv. The team has continued to document the court proceedings, the activities of those involved in the case, and the life of Farion's family after her death. Karina Pustovalova joined the project during the trial phase.

The documentary delves into the power of language and the significance of words in shaping intentions. It incorporates archival footage as well as posthumous content, including scenes from Farion's burial in Lviv and the inauguration of a street named in her honor. The release date for 'Her Three Verbs' will be announced in the near future.

Timeline of Key Events

The following timeline outlines the major events connected to Irina Farion's murder:

• On July 19, 2024, at 7:30 PM, police received a report of a shooting on Masaryk Street in Lviv, with Irina Farion as the victim. She later died in hospital after surgery due to heart failure.
• On July 25, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect in Dnipro, charged with Farion's murder.
• On July 26, 2024, Lviv’s Halytsky District Court ordered the suspect to be held in custody without bail.
• In April 2026, Vyacheslav Zinchenko, the accused, declared a hunger strike starting April 17 and attempted to stage a suicide during his trial.
• On October 1, 2026, Lviv’s Shevchenkivskyi District Court sentenced Vyacheslav Zinchenko to life imprisonment for the murder of Irina Farion.

“In 2022, I spent six days filming with Irina Farion. After her murder, I realized I couldn’t just leave these materials untouched-they had taken on a completely new meaning. I began revisiting and working with them as part of a larger narrative-a future film about what happened to Irina and the events following her death.”

Yuriy Dvizhon

Karina Pustovalova added, “For me, it was crucial to approach this story from a perspective beyond a typical crime chronicle. While researching, I noticed how lawyer Natalia views the case: through the lens of words, their meanings, and underlying nuances. That’s when I understood language itself could shape the film. This is how the linguistic detective story was born-a narrative where words do more than recount events; they trace the path from thought to intention, and from intention to action.”

'Her Three Verbs' has the potential to become a significant part of Ukraine's cultural memory of Irina Farion, highlighting not only the circumstances of her death but also her societal contributions. The project reflects pressing questions about the role of language and identity in contemporary Ukraine, likely resonating with a broad international audience. The creators aim to offer fresh perspectives that deepen understanding beyond the criminal aspects, illuminating the social and cultural contexts involved.