We are pleased to announce that a newly added Ukrainian film, Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom to the World Focus section has been finalized and will have its Special Screenings.
This is an emotionally stirring documentary depicting the present situation in Ukraine under the wartime.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will be collecting contributions at the teathers during the festival for Ukraine. The collected donations will be contributed through the Embassy of Ukraine in support of Ukrainian filmmakers.
 
Comments from the Programming Director, ICHIYAMA Shozo
When the festival’s selection of films was nearly completed, we received a video of Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom, requesting if we might consider the screening of this film. I thought it might be difficult to screen the film at this point, but as I began viewing, I started to feel a surge of emotion that made me feel that this film had to be screened by any means necessary. The film depicts the tragic reality of war as well as the strength of people who continue to survive in the face of hardships. Although the number of screenings is limited, we will be showing the film twice.
 
World Focus Section Special Screenings
Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom

Director’s Profile: Evgeny Afineevsky
The latest film from Evgeny Afineevsky, director of the Oscar-nominated documentary feature, Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (2015), which is about the so-called The Revolution of Dignity, and also known as Maidan Revolution, which led to massive demonstrations by Ukraine’s pro-Russian government in 2014. Interviews were conducted with civilians in Kiev, Mariupol, and many other cities that were attacked by the Russian army beginning on February 24, and their testimonies depict what the ongoing war has brought to the people. While it is a tragic report on the current state of the war, it also reveals the dignity and strength of the Ukrainian people. The film is narrated by the great actress Helen Mirren. The film was screened at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival and others.
 
Screening Date/Time:
11/1(Tue)
11:30 – Marunouchi TOEI
18:45 – CINE SWITCH Ginza 2
Admission: ¥1600 for adults, ¥1100 for students
 
Tickets go on sale at 10:00 on 10/15 (Sat)!