BOBE MAISES.

Thirty-one years ago, Ukraine witnessed the premiere of its first and only animated film based on Jewish folklore. This brilliant directorial debut by Olena Kasavina garnered numerous awards and was crowned the Best Animated Film of Ukraine in 1993.

Originally shot on analog film, this unique masterpiece faced the risk of being lost to time. For over three decades, the director dreamed of bringing Bobe Maises back to the screens, this time in Ukrainian.

Through the collaborative efforts of a dedicated creative team, the "MaGIKa-Film" production company, the Dovzhenko Center, and with support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the film has been digitized, restored, and re-voiced.

This fall, audiences will finally experience the long-awaited premiere of the restored Bobe Mayses. In a symbolic gesture, the legendary Ada Rogovtseva lends her voice to the film.

"I fell in love with this material instantly," shares Ada. "I read it at night, smiling, and couldn't wait for morning to start work. The film is beautiful, perfect, with great humour. It's both serious and philosophical. The animation is wonderful. For me, it is a flawless work."

The significance of this restoration extends beyond its artistic merit, especially in our current era of hybrid warfare.

Oleg Olifer, a promoter and researcher of Ukrainian cinema and animation, formerly of the Dovzhenko Center and now serving in the National Guard of Ukraine, explains: "This is truly a milestone for Ukrainian animation. It may even set a precedent, paving the way for Ukrainian versions of other Kyivnaukfilm classics currently available only in Russian."

Producer Gennady Kofman adds: "In the face of open military aggression against our country and active information warfare spreading false narratives about alleged Nazism and anti-Semitism in Ukraine, the return of an animated film based on Jewish folklore serves as a powerful tool in countering Kremlin propaganda."

Get ready to experience this remarkable animated film in the coming weeks!

The film company "MaGIKa-Film" restored the film with financial support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in 2024.