‘Bitter Harvest’ sheds light on atrocities
Continuing our recent string of true events inspired films comes another film ripe with the emotion and horror of atrocities committed, and yet largely unknown to the world.
“Bitter Harvest” tells the story of Joseph Stalin’s terrible policies against Ukraine in the 1930s. This independent film is 103 minutes long and rated 14A with a brutal violence warning. It is scheduled to play daily from Friday until Thursday, May 10 at 1:10 and 7:15 p.m.
“Based on one of the most overlooked tragedies of the 20th Century, “Bitter Harvest” is a powerful story of love, honour, rebellion and survival as seen through the eyes of two young lovers caught in the ravages of Joseph Stalin’s genocidal policies against Ukraine in the 1930s. As Stalin advances the ambitions of the burgeoning Soviet Union, a young artist named Yuri (Max Irons) battles to survive famine, imprisonment and torture to save his childhood sweetheart Natalka (Samantha Barks) from the “Holodomor,” the death-by-starvation program which ultimately killed millions of Ukrainians. Against this tragic backdrop, Yuri escapes from a ✦Soviet
prison and joins the antiBolshevik resistance movement as he battles to reunite with Natalka and continue the fight for a free Ukraine. Filmed on location in Ukraine, this epic love story brings to light one of the most devastating chapters of modern Europe. The stellar cast also includes Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp. Director George Mendeluk co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Bachynsky-Hoover based on Bachynsky-Hoover’s original story.” — the official site.
As with most true stories, I relish in the opportunity to expand my knowledge while being entertained. The production quality on this one pales in comparison to “The Promise” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife” but the story is equally powerful, if not disturbing. So much attention has focused on the atrocities committed by the Nazis, while unfortunately others in the world have subjected others to horrible nightmares.
If you are up for a historical look at Ukraine and the policies and effects forced upon a people by Stalin and company, then I believe you will enjoy this tale. Just don’t go looking for any award-winning performances —as they are absent, aside from the story.
See you at the movies!