“Grasshoppers Sing in the Rye”: Shooting of a Film About the Holodomor Began

Filming of a full-length feature film about the Holodomor, “Grasshoppers Sing in the Rye,” has begun in Ukraine. It was reported on the film’s official Facebook page.

The film, directed by Yevhen Khvorostianka, tells the story of one of the greatest crimes of the Soviet regime – the genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.

According to the plot, the main character, little Myroshko, goes to the forest to find food for his mother, who is dying of hunger. However, the world he finds himself in turns out to be cruel and merciless. He is betrayed and persecuted, and they try to break him. But even in the darkest moments, the boy finds the strength to fight.

This is a story of choice: survive at all costs or remain human?

Film director Yevhen Khvorostianko: “The story is narrated from the perspective of a six-year-old boy who is just beginning his journey in life. His consciousness is at a crossroads – where should he go? Toward utopian ideas? Toward sincere promises? Toward dreams? Or to remain himself, even if it leads to death. The boy’s view is like a tuning fork to the terrible events that occur in this story.”

“For me, this project is more than just a film. It is a story we must tell. The Holodomor is not a distant past, but it is a pain that still resonates in our hearts. We are working to make this film a voice for those who were attempted to be erased from history. I thank the entire team for contributing not only their professionalism but also their soul to this film,” says the producer, Olena Halahan.

The film is being produced by the Stage Service film company in collaboration with Fresh Production Group with the support of the State Film and Television Agency of Ukraine.

Cast: Ostap Makarenko, Borys Heorhievskyi, Valeriia Khodos, Andrii Mostrenko, Serhii Mitriushyn, Viktor Zhdanov, Andrii Klymenkov, Hlib Sukhanov, Ksenia Danylova, Oleksandr Novikov, Volodymyr Kuznietsov.

Photo – from the official film page.