Bitter Harvest (2017 film)
| Bitter Harvest | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Mendeluk |
| Written by | Richard Bachynsky Hoover |
| Produced by | Ian Ihnatowycz |
| Starring | Max Irons Samantha Barks Barry Pepper Tamer Hassan Lucy Brown Terence Stamp Jack Hollington Ostap Stupka Alexander Pecheritsyia |
| Cinematography | Douglas Milsome |
| Edited by | Stuart Baird & Lenka Svab |
| Music by | Benjamin Wallfisch |
| Distributed by | Roadside Attractions B&H Film Distribution Company |
Running time | approx. 2 hours |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $21.000.000 |
Bitter Harvest is a romantic-drama film set in Soviet Ukraine in the early 1930s. Many nationalist historians, Ukrainian activists, and politicians, believe that the Soviet famine of 1932–33 (which occurred in the USSR under the leadership of Stalin), was intentionally engineered to kill ethic Ukrainians and that 7 to 10 million people[citation needed] were killed during this time. The film was directed by George Mendeluk and the original story and script was written by Richard Bachynsky Hoover. The film stars Max Irons, Samantha Barks, Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp.[1] It was shot on location in Ukraine. The film has been acquired by Roadside Attractions for a 1st quarter 2017 US release.[2]
Plot
The plot of Bitter Harvest follows two central characters as the lovers and their family caught in one of the world’s greatest tragedies. This film explores themes such as romance, honor, rebellion and survival at a time when Ukraine suffered from a deadly famine. Inspired by actual events, Bitter Harvest is set at the time of the Soviet famine of 1932–33. With a cast of experienced film actors, the film focuses on one of the most horrifying events of 20th Century, an event that still haunts Europe to this day.
Production
The film's producers are Ian Ihnatowycz, Stuart Baird, Chad Barager and Jaye Gazeley. The Executive Producers are Dennis Davidson, Peter D. Graves, and Bill Immerman as well as Richard Bachynsky Hoover being the Executive Producer in Ukraine.
Producer Ian Ihnatowycz stated, "Given the importance of the Holodomor, and that few outside Ukraine knew about this man-made famine because it had been covered up by the Soviets, this chapter of history needed to be told in English on the silver screen for the first time in feature film history."[3]
Filming
Filming began in Ukraine by November 15, 2013.[4] On February 5, 2014 Variety reported that the shoot had just ended in Kiev.[1] In early 2014, post-production continued at London's Pinewood Studios, using the official James Bond filming tank for under-water filming. Skyfall editor Stuart Baird and SFX teams worked on the film in post production.
See also
References
- ^ a b Barraclough, Leo (February 5, 2014). "'White Queen' Star Max Irons Finishes Ukraine Shoot for 'Devil's Harvest'". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ McNary, Dave (August 9, 2016). "Max Irons-Samantha Barks' Ukraine Drama 'Bitter Harvest' Bought by Roadside". Variety. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ^ Francis, Diane (October 14, 2015). "New Movie Reveals Russia's Attempts to Destroy Ukraine". Atlantic Council.
- ^ Mitchell, Wendy (15 November 2013). "Max Irons, Samantha Barks go for Harvest". screendaily.com. Retrieved February 8, 2014.