Under the Volcano

Pod wulkanem

TIFF65: Greek Premiere

A Ukrainian family is enjoying their vacation in Spain when they suddenly receive the news of Russia’s invasion of their homeland. Unable to return to Kyiv, they go from tourists to refugees overnight, struggling to accept their new reality. This subtle social drama, almost Antonioni-like in its depiction of emotional paralysis, explores the traumatic effects of a tragic event on the relationships and bonds of people who feel as though the ground has vanished beneath their feet. With a melancholic directorial tone that beautifully visualizes the characters’ fractured psyches, an elegiac atmosphere, and a deep sensitivity, Under the Volcano addresses themes of grief and emotional alienation. It presents a unique and unexpected perspective on the war in Ukraine: Instead of battlefields, corpses, and ruined buildings, it delves into the devastated inner world of those who have nowhere left to return to.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Damian Kocur

Script: Damian Kocur, Marta Konarzewska

Cinematography: Nikita Kuzmienko

Editing: Alan Zejer

Sound: Serhii Avdieiev

Actors: Sofiia Berezovska, Roman Lutskyi, Anastasiia Karpienko, Fedir Pugachov

Production: Lizart Film

Producers: Mikołaj Lizut, Agnieszka Jastrzębska

Co-production: Hawk Art, MGM, TVP

Co-producers: Grzegorz Sloniewski, Michal Maksym

Costumes: Magdalena Sekrecka, Agata Piesiewicz

Production Design: Aleksandra Markowska

Sets: Aleksandra Markowska

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Poland

Duration: 105'

Contact: Salaud Morisset

Damian Kocur

Director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. PhD student and professor at the Łódź Film School. He is the author of several internationally awarded short films. His debut feature film Bread and Salt (2022) was awarded the Special Jury Prize in the Orrizonti competition at the Venice Film Festival 2022 and also awarded at numerous film festivals as Cairo IFF, Antalya IFF, Cottbus IFF, OFF Camera Festival in Kraków and many more. His last short film As It Was was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. Under the Volcano is his second feature film.