They Who Surround Us

If you've never lived n the prairies, you are in for a full tour. The footage of fields and farms and small town Ukrainian Canadian prairie life in the late 80's is stunning and full of reminisce. The story is both a classic family history for many of the Ukrainian diaspora and a story of personal tragedy. A stand out is the actress playing the aunt- her looks speak moe than words. It is a moving and beautiful film telling a unique Ukrainian Canadian story.

I was raised on a farm not far from Vegreville so aside from the touching account of our Ukrainian beginnings, this was a wonderful reflection of memories from my youth.

Troy Ruptash portrays his character with such realism and heart that at times, I forgot I was watching a movie. Brilliant!

The young boy in the movie who played young Roman, Pierce Briggs, is a definite up and comer! He was great!!

The cinematography was amazing in this film. The prairie landscape was breathtaking.

Thank you for bringing rural Alberta to the big screen. I look forward to more and more, Troy!

No swearing, no violence, no gory scenes...it can be done. I really liked this movie. I may be a little biased being that my ancestors are from Ukraine. I base whether a drama is good or bad, on how much I had an emotional attachment to the main character, and I did... very much. It is slow moving, but I really didn't mind.

So, full disclosure here - I am the composer on this film, and in response to what appears to be an almost vengeful review below, which lacks both a nuanced understanding of the film and any sort of authority that would convey the writer knows what he is talking about - here is what the genius Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan had to say:

'A sensitive and complex study of grief, as it filters through a family and echoes in historic memory. Centred on a riveting performance by Troy Ruptash, who makes his directorial debut with this ambitious film.'

I think I'll trust Atom Egoyan's opinion on this, and the many many audience members across Canada who have written and expressed how deeply moved they have been by this film.

A quite effecting study of a grief struck, but taciturn, man, and, we learn, loving father. The beauty of Alberta is stunningly portrayed, as are the horrors inflicted on Ukrainians during -- what I presume is, although it is interestingly kept somewhat ambiguous -- the recapture, by vengeful Soviet forces, of territory taken by the Nazis previously. I found, however, the apparitions, in present times, of lost love ones to be occasionally a bit jarring, breaking with what was otherwise the otherworldly, Malick-like, cinematography and excellent character development. That said, an impressive piece of work.