Exclusive: Cinephil picks up “Ukraine is not a Brothel”

12 hours ago by
Adam Benzine

Ukraine Is Not A Brothel

Tel Aviv-based indie Cinephil has acquired world rights for Australian director Kitty Green’s debut doc Ukraine is not a Brothel (pictured), ahead of its premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival.

The 78-minute film looks at Ukraine’s topless feminist collective Femen, who have stirred up press attention across Europe.

Outraged by the world’s perceived image of Ukrainian women as being either brides for sale or commodities of sex tourism, Femen bare their breasts “in protest, in order to disrupt this perception and agitate these brutal patriarchal forces,” according to the film’s billing.

In a statement, Green said: “The truth behind Ukraine’s topless feminist movement has yet to be revealed in any of the thousands of press articles about Femen. Ukraine is not a Brothel is a shocking glimpse into the secret lives of these bold and beautiful women.

“It is a film that speaks volumes about the brutal strength of patriarchal culture throughout the Eastern bloc.”

The film joins Cinephil’s documentary catalog, alongside works such as the forthcoming Wim Wenders-helmed 3D series Cathedrals of Culture; Joshua Oppenheimer’s controversial doc The Act of Killing; and Dror Moreh’s Oscar-nominated film The Gatekeepers, which was produced by Cinephil MD Philippa Kowarsky.

Ukraine is not a Brothel plays in Venice out of competition on September 4, 5 and 6.

Tags: Cinephil, Femen, Kitty Green, Philippa Kowarsky, Ukraine is not a Brothel, Venice Film Festival

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