DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The idea for this film emerged while I was shooting a documentary project in 2024. During air raid sirens on the river bordering Romania, I met a shepherd who was embroidering an American flag. I was deeply struck by the fact that in the middle of nowhere, on the border between Ukraine and Romania, at a time of constant danger of war, there existed a person with a very clear dream, fully devoted to it. His dream was to reach America.
In this encounter, I suddenly recognized something of myself. I grew up in a small border town in Ukraine and have always felt alone. I have always wanted to escape. Because this town sits on the border, I constantly felt in-between cultures. We never fully belonged to a single identity: historically, this territory has been part of Romania, the Russian Empire, the USSR and various other influences.
I began to reflect on how this shapes a sense of cultural belonging. Our town is often called “the Ukrainian Venice,” and a well-designed interior is described as “European style.” We constantly define ourselves through other countries, as if our own language is not enough to express value.
When I met Valentyn, I was struck not only by how far he wants to escape, but also by how deeply his dream is tied to a lack of grounded identity. I began to see him not just as a character, but as someone shaped by a space of constant uncertainty, searching for a fixed point somewhere “elsewhere.”
In this context, dreams become currency. People are sold the idea of “European style,” “Ukrainian Venice,” “Italian wine,” as if things are not valuable on their own without external validation. It creates a sense that one’s own culture constantly needs to be confirmed by others in order to matter.
This film is about that feeling. About the border as both a physical and internal condition. About dreams as currency. And about a person trying to find their place in a world where identity is constantly shifting.
All footage used in the project was shot in my hometown, where we intend to produce this film.
This feature film is currently in development at the screenplay stage, with extensive work already completed on location scouting and visual research. I am committed to bringing this project to life and am looking for producers, collaborators, and partners who connect with its vision.
If this project resonates with you, I would be glad to hear from you.
