Mosaics of Kyiv

A married couple of artists is creating a mosaic on the wall of a cultural space in Kyiv. They work in the upcycling technique, drawing inspiration from Kyiv's mosaics made during Soviet times.

In an era of distinguishing Ukrainian identity from Soviet heritage, the couple emphasizes that not all mosaics are tied to Soviet ideology. Many of them are valuable works by Ukrainian artists, deserving reinterpretation and preservation for future generations. Cultural heritage can be reimagined and maintained — upcycling applies not only to objects but also to culture.

While working on their first large-scale mosaic, the couple is expecting their first child. They dream that one day their son will proudly tell others that it was his parents who created the mosaic adorning the wall in Kyiv.

  • Kyrylo Svietashov
    Director
  • Sveta Symakova
    Director
  • Kyrylo Nechmonia
    Producer
  • Nadia Parfan
    Producer
    Exarch, Reve ta stohne on tour, Housewarming, Heat Singers, Women Who Play, I Did Not Want to Make a War Film, It's a Date
  • Svitlana Gryb
    Key Cast
  • Serhii Spizhovyi
    Key Cast
  • Kyrylo Svietashov
    DOP
  • Sveta Symakova
    Editor
  • Dmytro Tsyganenko
    Music
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Мозаїки Києва
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Culture, Romance, Urbanism, Ethnography
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 8, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Ukraine
  • Country of Filming:
    Ukraine
  • Language:
    Ukrainian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Chicken Kyiv Films
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Kyrylo Svietashov, Sveta Symakova

Kyrylo Svietashov
The beginning of the career as a cinematographer started with the music video "Knock Knock" by the band Brunettes Shoot Blondes, which won the "Best Concept" award at the Berlin Music Video Awards festival, garnered 69 million views on YouTube, and aired on channels such as Discovery, NBC, and Deutsche Welle. As a director of photography, contributed to the documentary short film "Peacekeepers in the Mountains of Svaneti" and "Peacekeepers: The First Mission." In 2020, received the Grand Prix at the YO! Directors Awards competition for young advertising directors for the commercial "Hamster Trainer" for the brand Non Stop. In 2022, served as director of photography for the debut short fiction film "Lalibela," supported by the State Cinema.

Sveta Symakova started her career as an editor, primarily working in the Ukrainian fashion segment. Her first directorial works were campaigns for the international brand ANOESES, one of which garnered over 700,000 views and helped establish her name as a future director. She also directed music videos and commercials, but continued working as an editor. Together with the Ukrainian team seek.studio, she participated in the creation of the documentary film Maison Margiela Artisanal 2024 "Nighthawk", where she served as the second editor.

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Director Statement

"Mosaics of Kyiv" is a lyrical drama with elements of poetic realism that portrays the creation of art as a metaphor for preserving Ukrainian identity. The visual focus is on the process of crafting a mosaic from fragments of old materials, symbolizing the renewal of culture through the reimagining of Soviet heritage. The camera highlights the textures of stone, tile, and the hands of the protagonists as they place mosaic pieces onto the wall of a cultural space in Kyiv.

The story revolves around an artist couple expecting their first child, with their collaborative work on the mosaic becoming a symbol of creating the future. The mosaic embodies the unity of fragmented parts, while upcycling emphasizes the renewal not only of materials but also of cultural values. Through discussions about art, the protagonists reflect on questions of heritage and identity.