Hey, dear actors, filmmakers, and just people who love movies!
I always read inspirational stories here and I always try to take some positive energy from them. I also want to share with you my story. So I'm Slava Babenkov, I'm an actor from Ukraine. Unfortunately, there's been a war going on in my country for almost a year. But I don't say it in the order you to feel sorry for me. No. Maybe to inspire you a bit. But honestly, 2022 was a sh@t that brought us a lot of grief and tears, a lot of losses and damages. Personal and common. Deaths of filmmakers and actors who've died defending our country. Who could possibly think that it might happen in the middle of Europe in 21 century?
So I decided that if I'm not in the army, I have to "fight" on a cultural battlefield, to tell a story that will tell the world the truth. So I wrote a black comedy pilot episode "Fuскhead Squad". The story is about a bad and unconfident russian loser actor who struggles to be famous and becomes an even worse russian spy and saboteur in wartime Ukraine. And his goal is to kill the President of Ukraine. This is a story about the temptation of being famous. When obsessing with a desire to be famous destroys the soul of a good man. It's funny. Tragic. Hilarious. Creepy scary. Absurd and frightening. Realistic. And very funny again. It's going to be "The Office" meets «Cloverfield». But the main message of the series is to fight russian propaganda that has been rooted around for more than 30 years. Ukraine is all over the news, but unfortunately at such a cost. We want to tell people around the world what’s going on here. Who we are, that Ukrainians are not russians, that we are not brothers, that we have our own history, our own language, and our own culture.
I gathered the best people in Ukraine, award-winning filmmakers, filmmakers that worked with Netflix and are European Film Awards nominees, and award-winning actors who worked for free (because no one has money now, even big studios) to shoot 6 minutes of proof of concept video (you are welcome to watch it by the link below). Because they loved the idea! We had fun despite air defense sirens and the danger of shelling because when we filmed, russians started massively attacking Ukraine with missiles and explosive drones. One of the best editors and VFX specialists made the post-production. Also for free. I will fully pay to all of them when we raise funds. Because they believe in me! It's so important to me. And I believe in them and this story! And I starred in my own big project. I'm writing it. And I'm going to direct it. Who knows, maybe I'll f@ck up. Because there are still no budgets and it's a big risk for foreign companies to invest in Ukrainian projects when the war hasn't finished. And it hasn't finished, for instance, russians sent 40 drones just on New Year's night and some had handwriting on it - "Happy New Year"!
We started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to shoot a pilot episode http://kck.st/3HLR3ag I will be really happy if you can support us. Happy to every $1. We've already gathered $1700. And share it please, the more people know, the more possibility we raise funds!
Let's wrap it up, cause I'm talking too much. First of all, I'm very very very grateful to the people who support Ukraine. Who donated, who volunteered, who hosted Ukrainians who fled from the war. To your Governments that help us to defend our land. I just want to say - keep going whatever it takes! Keep doing it with passion! And it will come! Don't make excuses! Find people who are thinking with you on the same wave. Be brave! Like Ukraine:)
I wish you 2023 a lot of good roles, good opportunities, and a lot of fun! Sending you love and a good laugh! Happy New Year!
Slava
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I read through and watched the short movie and everything on those links. Appreciate the effort in trying to get this going. Glad we are supporting your country with cash. Also I don't know if there's a language barrier within certain phrases and just overall speech context within the Russian language compared to the English language..
Etc. But yeah when I see everything that Russia is trying to do to Ukraine and the reasoning behind it all..It's just not adding up. Something isn't adding up. So i'm a bit confused as to why Russia is doing this.
I was always taught certain values throughout my life. Such as respect others. I do understand that not everyone was taught these values growing up.
So I can see why there can be some differences in thought formation among different countries such as Russia. And why different people have different mental capacities. So in a way I can see why Russia would be doing this. But I don't agree with any of it.
And alot of people around me in Pennsylvania are getting together and really hoping that Russia just does a complete withdrawal and apology for everything that they as a whole have done to Ukraine. Among making ammends and rebuilding the buildings they have damaged. They basically need to now build back everything to where it used to be.
All of those buildings they have damaged need to be rebuilt. So you have my support in that way. What's your age? You seem to be around my age. I'm 43. Also do you have any plans on taking the production for this to another country nearby until things settle down? Or are you all not in a position financially to do so? Just seems to be a bit safer option for you at this point.
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Hi Matt, thank you for your support! We also don't know why russia is doing this. They can rebuild everything but they can't return our soldiers, our people, and our children who have died and been tortured. It's a disaster. The world hasn't had such wars since WWII. But a lot of people in the world are thinking that it's only their leader who is responsible for it and the top leadership of the country. But it's not true. All of them are guilty, it's a collective responsibility. If anyone has opposite thoughts, just watch interviews of the mere people.
And I want to show with my project who are russians and how dangerous they can be. Even if they seem to be good and human. It's their mindset, unfortunately. To conquer the world, to get more territories, even though they live mostly very poor on their own territories. You are absolutely right, Matt, people in the world are taught the same values mostly. And we have to fight for that values. Through the culture as well. And those narratives that we are the same nations, brothers etc... We are Ukrainians, Period:)
I'm turning 36 next month. I can't leave Ukraine because it's restricted to men of draft age. I can leave for some cultural reasons like festivals, some other cultural events, and theater work. But I have none of it so far. I believe I can raise funds to shoot the pilot this year in February-March. If not... then I'll think about what to do...
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Interesting how nobody else here responded to this.
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Also I appreciate Zelensky coming to the USA to get more support. And that was really nice of everyone here in the USA to support him. Really appreciate the effort by Zelensky so far. Zelensky and I are right around the same age. Glad to see that we both share common values. Thanks for your support of the USA as well.
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Hi Jed, if with the first suggestion I could possibly agree, but with the second - never. What they've done to my country, to my nation, to me... so russophobia it's the least thing I can do to them. With most of them.
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Slava: It is refreshing to hear a thank-you! As a taxpayer, I'm exhausted by appeals to generosity when so many Americans are broke. As I have said many times, the effort to offend no one means writers are hamstrung and that's why we have rehashes, sequels, prequels, and spin-offs rather than original material. Message films are hot right now as long as they are the "right" message, and that restriction is foreign to me because I have living memory of real freedom of speech. I applaud your patriotism. However, if you want to get anywhere in America, you have to be more politically astute: i.e. work within the restrictions we are experiencing under our own heavy cross. I'll watch your demo, and get back to you if you want. My opinion is just that, and worth what you pay for it (nothing), but I volunteer and I am a poltico/military/war film afficianado. Send me an add request, though so I don't have to hunt for you.
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Jed, it’s not a story about politics, it’s a story about an actor who became a saboteur. But the set is in wartime Ukraine. It’s a story about the temptation of being famous and how it ruins life of a good person.
I know that your country has had such historical moments but when they were? 30-40-50 years ago? I mean there’s been a lot of time to think and rethink those moments through movies and art. You can’t deny it. We are also as a common artist are comprehending the moment, this war, that is much more bigger then wars your country was involved. It would be a nonsense if I’ll write something neutral now. It’s not like they came to your home, destroyed, raped, occupied, terrorized and etc, and I like, ok, russians are fine, it’s just not a good moment for them. Sorry, but no. The main goal for us, for creators is to make something that would have an impact that this will never happen again.
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It's really interesting how my post about creating a series about fighting russian propaganda made everything upside-down and now Ukraine and I are guilty of all that terror that happens in the world and the US. I just wanted to share the story that it's important to fight on the cultural front and what do I face? That I'm a propagandist and russophob... that I'm a reason that Americans live worse than before... Jesus...
I'm sorry to everyone who is offended. Will post only scripts about pink ponies from now on. Pretending that the world is easy and nice and nothing bad happens around.
By the way, I'm also a russian speaking person and it means nothing.
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Slava really good correlation between temptation and fame. How was your week so far? Let's talk current events. What are you doing now? What city are you in now? Do you workout? What's your favorite horror movie? What's your current height and weight? What's your favorite country? Do you like the country of Antarctica at all? Ever been to Antarctica? Did you know that the average temp on Antarctica is negative 71 degrees? Did you know that the coldest temp ever recorded on that continent was negative 128.6 degrees? Yet, we don't know if that's a PR for that country. It's just the coldest we've ever been able to measure within the past 200 years. Could have been alot colder than that in previous years. Did you even know that?
Jed just left deleting all his comments...
Hey Matt, my morning started with explosions, because russia massively attacked peaceful cities again. There were explosions right above my neighborhood and that was our air defense systems that hit russian cruise missiles. And I want to attach this picture as a result of that attack, it's a residential house 9 floors in the city of Dnipro far far away from the frontline. And we see it every day. It's not politics as Jed said. It's genocide. And it hurts really much when he blames me for russophobia, that we deserve it, that I'm a propagandist... You can't hate fascists but tolerate what russians do. It's impossible to tolerate it. Yes, sure, it's not your concern. But I don't wish anybody to feel this and go through this. If we won't destroy this evil, it can come to your house. No matter what country you are living in. Not tomorrow, but who knows?
I want to visit Antarctica one day. I love traveling. I believe it's very beautiful. But not yet. Not yet.
Russia claims this was done by Ukrainian defense missiles. I Don't know who is right but I definitely have come to doubt anything being claimed by USA MSM, And enough, please, with the Russophobia and Propaganda! Otherwise this Wonderful site will be flooded with it by all types of Trolls with different axes to grind Also, I never said anyone deserves anything. Lying about what I said does not surprise me though...
I didn't delete anything! Either administrator or a hacker must have, Wonder who has the skill and motive to delete comments here?
ahahah. after your first sentence, I really understand why you started this conversation. Now I understand what media you read and watch. I should've understood it earlier when you started telling me about russian-speaking people in Crimea and other narratives of russian propaganda. Sure, russia is not guilty at all. Of course, it's all Ukraine bombing itself, killing its best people. It's strange that you haven't said anything about Ukraine bombing Donbas for 8 years. Of course, they claim that it is Ukraine! Who in their right mind will confess to war crimes? Jed, please, don't read news about Ukraine from the resources you've read before.
I don't understand the logic people who think like that are following... nonsense. just nonsense. And the most interesting thing is that people all over the world know better what's happening here, where I live, and see it here and now.
You're right. It's enough. I know that I won't change your mind.
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@Slava Thanks for share. Your film is visceral, organic & with refreshing sound of foleys instead of blaring studio music Eg Phone bleep except when guy was sick & radio song of inner dialogue. Have you perfected the script & put it in your profile? It sounds interesting and could be developed as documentary meets reality.
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‘@Slav Re “The office meets Cloverfield” I've not seen Cloverfield, my initial gut feel was “Who Wants To Be A Celebrity?” Meets “Con Air”. BUT I feel that a crass assumption from me considering this problem is REAL That is why I suggested Documentary & Drama, a mixed bag with actors fiction film accompanied by hand held camera capturing footage of what it's really all about. I applaud you for doing this. Quote from Oscar Wilde. "Through art and art alone can we shield ourselves from the sordid hurt of actuality." Rather than censor any topic an artist has the talent to face, explore and tell the story in a way only themselves are capable of.
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PS @Slav By extra footage I certainly do not mean endangering crew in any war zone but merely capturing unique truisms of ordinary daily life. It could be in the future you go Transmedia building an eco system of content to add to project/campaign. During Covid I did not risk catching it but we did i phone video when encountering absurdities of lockdown, isolation & empty streets. One time a row in a shop was added to script. I’m a fan of art house too, montages/stills/live filtered in for high emotional impact or changes in status quo,
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Actually I was just joking with what I said before. Your entire country needs to stop begging us for cash. Not our problem. Sounds mean but think about it. You have all these other countries to beg people for cash. Go beg the UK for cash if your country needs cash. Your entire country needs to stop begging us for cash. Write that down.
There are thousands of projects on Kickstarter and most of them are from the US they are also BEGGING? Or you call it BEGGING just because I’m Ukrainian? Sweet… And I’m not a country, I’m Ukrainian filmmaker who runs a CROWDFUNDING campaign, not sitting on the street with hat in hand.
We can't blame Zelensky and his ilk .They'll take all they can get for their Swiss bank accounts. It is our corrupt politicians who are emptying our treasury for a losing cause, whatever the hell the cause is. "We will give forever". Joe Biden.
Introduce the project to TV stations in Ukraine's neighbouring countries . They only have a lot of hopeless tv paradocumentaries on offer - so maybe they will be interested. A viewer in the west is not interested in a series taking place in eastern Europe if it is not based on a well-known great novel . The above commentators from the USA are a good example of additional characters in your series - critics of the war. I would add to the series the character of a Russian general Szojgu who was born in Siberia . When he was young, he read a novel about Konrad von Wallenrode, who was kidnapped as a child by the horsemen several hundred years ago. He decided that he would learn the language of the enemy and later become a soldier and even a commander in chief in the enemy's country. When he achieved this, he declared war on the neighbouring country and led his army in such a way that it lost the battle and the war. When it was finally discovered who he was, he committed suicide, rejoicing that he had thus destroyed the power of the enemy.