The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul

Kitty Green's The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul engaged my interest in a subject and topic I wouldn't have otherwise explored. That felt like a noble feat for a documentary film. The film surprised me with its elegantly simple staging, costumes, camera-work, and editing. I wasn't predisposed to like this film and in fact found myself expecting to be yawning ... but the pacing and gradual evolution of the story through its characters gripped me throughout.

This ingenious concept focused my attention on the story and message, as told through unexpected (but extremely appropriate) characters. We learn of a country-- its past traumas and its future dreams--through its next generation. Brilliantly conceived and executed.