PÖFF30 | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | 6-22 november 2026 | Cinema Artis
In a Russian-occupied town in southeastern Ukraine, where burying the dead has been forbidden, the church of a young priest, Andriy, has been turned into a morgue for executed Ukrainian civilians. As the occupation tightens its grip, Andriy quietly begins to resist, secretly returning the bodies to their families at great personal risk. Along the way, he forms an unexpected bond with Makarov, an 11-year-old boy who becomes the silent witness to his rebellion.
The gripping drama’s events may not surprise those living through a seemingly never-ending full-scale war, but could shock people still ignoring it. Lithuanian-born Ukrainian director Rostislav Kirpicenko uncovers cynicism, blackmail, and the brutal cruelty of the merciless attackers.
Locals must choose their side – hold on a little longer, slowly adapt, fight back, obey, collaborate, or even betray. The mightiest impact here is heartbreaking authenticity, showing how Ukrainians are surviving the ongoing occupation.
Edvinas Pukšta
In cinema 11/17/2026
PÖFF: Vesna
Vesna
-
Genre
Drama
Director
Rostislav Kirpicenko
Run time
1h 41min
Cast
Kęstutis Cicėnas, Bartas Ždanovičius, Anastasiia Pustovit, Valentin Novopolskij
Genre
Drama
Director
Rostislav Kirpicenko
Run time
1h 41min
Cast
Kęstutis Cicėnas, Bartas Ždanovičius, Anastasiia Pustovit, Valentin Novopolskij
PÖFF30 | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | 6-22 november 2026 | Cinema Artis
In a Russian-occupied town in southeastern Ukraine, where burying the dead has been forbidden, the church of a young priest, Andriy, has been turned into a morgue for executed Ukrainian civilians. As the occupation tightens its grip, Andriy quietly begins to resist, secretly returning the bodies to their families at great personal risk. Along the way, he forms an unexpected bond with Makarov, an 11-year-old boy who becomes the silent witness to his rebellion. The gripping drama’s events may not surprise those living through a seemingly never-ending full-scale war, but could shock people still ignoring it. Lithuanian-born Ukrainian director Rostislav Kirpicenko uncovers cynicism, blackmail, and the brutal cruelty of the merciless attackers. Locals must choose their side – hold on a little longer, slowly adapt, fight back, obey, collaborate, or even betray. The mightiest impact here is heartbreaking authenticity, showing how Ukrainians are surviving the ongoing occupation.
Edvinas Pukšta
In a Russian-occupied town in southeastern Ukraine, where burying the dead has been forbidden, the church of a young priest, Andriy, has been turned into a morgue for executed Ukrainian civilians. As the occupation tightens its grip, Andriy quietly begins to resist, secretly returning the bodies to their families at great personal risk. Along the way, he forms an unexpected bond with Makarov, an 11-year-old boy who becomes the silent witness to his rebellion. The gripping drama’s events may not surprise those living through a seemingly never-ending full-scale war, but could shock people still ignoring it. Lithuanian-born Ukrainian director Rostislav Kirpicenko uncovers cynicism, blackmail, and the brutal cruelty of the merciless attackers. Locals must choose their side – hold on a little longer, slowly adapt, fight back, obey, collaborate, or even betray. The mightiest impact here is heartbreaking authenticity, showing how Ukrainians are surviving the ongoing occupation.
Edvinas Pukšta
Info
Rating
-
Production year
2026
Global distributor
The Bureau Sales
Local distributor
Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival MTÜ
In cinema
11/17/2026