DIRECTOR: Damian Kocur
STARRING: Roman Lutskyi, Anastasiia Karpenko, Sofia Berezowska, Fedir Pugachov
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 45 minutes
LANGUAGE: Ukrainian, English, Spanish, German, Russian, Wolof
A Ukrainian family of four is spending the last day of their vacation on the island of Tenerife. They do not know yet that the next day, their flight to Kyiv will be cancelled and Russian bombs will start falling on their country.
***
Under the Volcano is the follow up film for director Damian Kocur after his first film Bread and Salt. The script was written by Damian Kocur and Marta Konarzewska. Under the Volcano premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September followed by a screening at the Polish Films in Gdynia. Salaud Morisset acquired international distribution rights to the film in August 2024.
The Polish Film Institute is proud to announce that on September 18, 2024, the Oscar Commission, chaired by Paweł Pawlikowski, selected a Polish candidate for the 97th Awards of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Best International Feature Film category. The winner, selected from ten other exceptional films, was Under the Volcano by Damian Kocur.
The film is produced by Mikolaj Lizut of Lizart Film and Agnieszka Jastrzebska of Hawk Art. Grzegorz Sloniewski of MGM SA, Michał Maksym of TVP SA and the Polish Film Institute co-produce.
Under the Volcano is a war drama and it was filmed in Tenerife, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Poland, click HERE.
STARRING: Roman Lutskyi, Anastasiia Karpenko, Sofia Berezowska, Fedir Pugachov
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 45 minutes
LANGUAGE: Ukrainian, English, Spanish, German, Russian, Wolof
A Ukrainian family of four is spending the last day of their vacation on the island of Tenerife. They do not know yet that the next day, their flight to Kyiv will be cancelled and Russian bombs will start falling on their country.
***
Under the Volcano is the follow up film for director Damian Kocur after his first film Bread and Salt. The script was written by Damian Kocur and Marta Konarzewska. Under the Volcano premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September followed by a screening at the Polish Films in Gdynia. Salaud Morisset acquired international distribution rights to the film in August 2024.
The Polish Film Institute is proud to announce that on September 18, 2024, the Oscar Commission, chaired by Paweł Pawlikowski, selected a Polish candidate for the 97th Awards of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Best International Feature Film category. The winner, selected from ten other exceptional films, was Under the Volcano by Damian Kocur.
The film is produced by Mikolaj Lizut of Lizart Film and Agnieszka Jastrzebska of Hawk Art. Grzegorz Sloniewski of MGM SA, Michał Maksym of TVP SA and the Polish Film Institute co-produce.
Under the Volcano is a war drama and it was filmed in Tenerife, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Poland, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“You know, all this is going to finish soon.”
Under the Volcano, Damian Kocur's second feature, is a beautifully understated exploration of the human cost of war, set in a deceptively tranquil environment. By following a Ukrainian family on holiday in Tenerife just before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the film quietly unravels how a world on the brink of catastrophe intrudes into personal lives, even far from the battlefield. Kocur's delicate approach to storytelling, paired with strong performances and striking cinematography, offers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
The film excels in portraying the everyday anxieties of a family who, at first, are concerned with typical vacation issues, like finding a spot at the beach. But as news of the invasion reaches them, their priorities shift, and Kocur deftly captures the mounting tension and uncertainty without relying on dramatic, overt scenes. Roman Lutskyi and Anastasiia Karpenko, who play Roman and Nastya, bring a remarkable depth to their roles, balancing their internal fears with the need to appear calm and composed for their children. Their nuanced performances elevate the film, making the audience empathize with their quiet, growing sense of helplessness.
Under the Volcano is stunning, using the serene landscapes of Tenerife to create a stark contrast with the impending disaster. Kocur’s use of natural light and soft focus imbues the film with a dreamlike quality, reinforcing the sense of disconnection between the peaceful holiday destination and the war that is beginning to unfold. The cinematography reflects the family’s emotional distance from the events back home while maintaining an ever-present sense of unease. This delicate balance between beauty and tension is a testament to Kocur’s skill in crafting a narrative that is both visually compelling and emotionally resonant.
One of the film’s strongest elements is its portrayal of the family dynamics, particularly through the character of Sofia, the teenage daughter. Her digital obsession and tendency to distance herself from reality by filming videos is a poignant representation of how younger generations often cope with overwhelming situations. Sofia's interactions with Mike, an African immigrant, add another layer of depth to the story, illustrating how displacement and survival are universal experiences. These moments of connection, while subtle, bring warmth to the film and offer a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.
Under the Volcano is a quietly powerful film that eschews the typical war drama tropes for something more introspective and personal. Kocur masterfully conveys the psychological toll of waiting and watching from a distance, making the film’s themes of displacement, family, and survival feel intimate and universal. With its strong performances, breathtaking visuals, and thoughtful storytelling, the film is a testament to Kocur’s talent as a filmmaker and an important reminder of the far-reaching consequences of conflict. It’s a film that speaks to both the personal and global impact of war, delivered with grace and subtlety. Millions are living under a volcano, with the looming threat of disaster, where tranquility on the surface masks the potential for sudden and devastating upheaval.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“You know, all this is going to finish soon.”
Under the Volcano, Damian Kocur's second feature, is a beautifully understated exploration of the human cost of war, set in a deceptively tranquil environment. By following a Ukrainian family on holiday in Tenerife just before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the film quietly unravels how a world on the brink of catastrophe intrudes into personal lives, even far from the battlefield. Kocur's delicate approach to storytelling, paired with strong performances and striking cinematography, offers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
The film excels in portraying the everyday anxieties of a family who, at first, are concerned with typical vacation issues, like finding a spot at the beach. But as news of the invasion reaches them, their priorities shift, and Kocur deftly captures the mounting tension and uncertainty without relying on dramatic, overt scenes. Roman Lutskyi and Anastasiia Karpenko, who play Roman and Nastya, bring a remarkable depth to their roles, balancing their internal fears with the need to appear calm and composed for their children. Their nuanced performances elevate the film, making the audience empathize with their quiet, growing sense of helplessness.
Under the Volcano is stunning, using the serene landscapes of Tenerife to create a stark contrast with the impending disaster. Kocur’s use of natural light and soft focus imbues the film with a dreamlike quality, reinforcing the sense of disconnection between the peaceful holiday destination and the war that is beginning to unfold. The cinematography reflects the family’s emotional distance from the events back home while maintaining an ever-present sense of unease. This delicate balance between beauty and tension is a testament to Kocur’s skill in crafting a narrative that is both visually compelling and emotionally resonant.
One of the film’s strongest elements is its portrayal of the family dynamics, particularly through the character of Sofia, the teenage daughter. Her digital obsession and tendency to distance herself from reality by filming videos is a poignant representation of how younger generations often cope with overwhelming situations. Sofia's interactions with Mike, an African immigrant, add another layer of depth to the story, illustrating how displacement and survival are universal experiences. These moments of connection, while subtle, bring warmth to the film and offer a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.
Under the Volcano is a quietly powerful film that eschews the typical war drama tropes for something more introspective and personal. Kocur masterfully conveys the psychological toll of waiting and watching from a distance, making the film’s themes of displacement, family, and survival feel intimate and universal. With its strong performances, breathtaking visuals, and thoughtful storytelling, the film is a testament to Kocur’s talent as a filmmaker and an important reminder of the far-reaching consequences of conflict. It’s a film that speaks to both the personal and global impact of war, delivered with grace and subtlety. Millions are living under a volcano, with the looming threat of disaster, where tranquility on the surface masks the potential for sudden and devastating upheaval.
