At RIC, Students Explore Ukrainian Life through Cinema

Prof. Bohlinger lectures in front of class, with image of film behind him.
Rhode Island College Impact

A RIC film class is opening its lecture hall to the campus community, sharing films produced by and conversations with Ukrainian filmmakers as part of a Ukrainian Film Series.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has dominated the news over the last year, telling the tragic stories of war. Finding a way into the conversation or educating yourself on what’s happening can be challenging.

By organizing a new course around the voices, culture and geography of Ukraine, the Film Studies Program at Rhode Island College fused historical content with current events. Students have learned about the regions and history of Ukraine through the country’s films and now the class is launching a film series that is free and open to the public.

 

Continuing over the next two weeks, RIC’s Ukrainian Film Series will feature two films along with conversations with the filmmakers in Gaige 100, from 10-11:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, April 11, short films by Nadia Parfan will be screened, followed by a Thursday, April 13, Zoom conversation with the filmmaker.

And on Tuesday, April 18, the documentary “The Earth is Blue as an Orange,” by Iryna Tsilyk, will be screened, followed by a Thursday, April 20, Zoom conversation with the filmmaker.

All screenings and Zoom discussions will be held in Gaige 100, from 10-11:50 a.m. and are free and open to the public.

Professor and Film Studies Director Vincent Bohlinger says that he “hopes that this series will offer the campus community access to in-depth explorations of Ukrainian culture.”

This series is made possible through the support of the Committee on Faculty Research and Development, the Committee on College Lectures, the RIC Foundation and the Ocean State Film Society.

Learn more about about RIC’s Film Studies Program by contacting vbohlinger@ric.edu.