On 19 October, the Kerry International Film Festival in Ireland hosted the premiere of the Irish film Sanatorium, which tells the story of life in the Ukrainian resort of Kuyalnyk during a full-scale war.
Although war is present in the film — in the characters' conversations, the sounds of air raid sirens and television reports — the main focus is on people who continue to live, plan for children, seek love, and recover from injuries and the loss of loved ones. The film is full of humour and optimism, which makes it special against the backdrop of many tragic stories of recent years.
‘Ukrainians needed a film like this because everything we have shown here in Kerry over the last three years has been very tragic and painful. Sanatorium was like the healing mud of Kuyalnyk for people's hearts — it warmed them up a little,’ said Natalya Krasnenkova, the organiser of the screening.
The authors thanked the Kerry International Film Festival for the first successful collaboration and expressed their willingness to continue working together. Words of gratitude were also expressed to the Embassy of Ukraine to Ireland and Ambassador Larysa Herasko for their constant support of Ukrainian cultural projects in Ireland. Director Gar O'Rourke was present at the screening, and according to audience reviews, he was able to convey a special Ukrainian humour in the film.