BEFORE THE DAWN

Director's Statement

For generations, we've been prisoners of a vicious cycle of trauma: passed down from our parents, who inherited it from theirs, and so it goes on and on. To break this cycle and prevent it from perpetuating further, we must first acknowledge it. In my film, I aimed to share what helped the main character break free from old ways of thinking and find a path to happiness. It's the ability to listen to the wisdom of the heart in choosing our path, to show sensitivity to our own and others' pain, enabling moments of revelation. The story I share in the film is about how difficulties offer us a chance to take responsibility for our own happiness, as it depends solely on us. Making this choice grants us freedom. It might feel uncomfortable, but it also gives us a chance we wouldn't have had by choosing sacrificing our "self." With this story, I also aim to speak to the world about where we, Ukrainians, came from and where we are heading. Not long ago, the Ukrainians where in an unhealthy state of dependency, convinced of its inability to change, resigned to playing the victim. A few years ago, I created the film "Wonderwall," reimagining the Chernobyl theme - presenting it free from stereotypical fears and filled with hope. Being a contemporary of the Revolution of Dignity and the ongoing liberation war, I witness how Ukrainians are changing. I aimed to showcase the world the path of our changes from a mindset of scarcity and victimhood to one of abundance and responsibility. In these challenging times, which the entire world is experiencing today, I want to share what gives hope to the protagonist of my film - and to me: "It's always darkest before the dawn." Alexander Denysenko https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d4K7vQhPNXhVI5NBudGoTPWGy6oOT4CV