Ukrainian Filmmakers to Direct War Anthology Series ‘Missing’ for Film.UA

Ukrainian production banner Film.UA is joining forces with the Find Your Own Foundation and a lineup of top directors to launch “Missing,” an anthology series focusing on the alarming number of Ukrainians who have gone missing since the Russian invasion. The series will also spotlight the profound effects these disappearances have had on their families.

Against the backdrop of intense conflict, “Missing” delves into the lives of individuals whose tales of loss, hope, and determination play out amidst the chaos of war. Inspired by real-life stories documented by the Find Your Own Foundation, founded by TV host Kateryna Osadcha, the show will center on the numerous Ukrainians who have vanished during the war and other victims, including children who have been illegally deported. The series aims to bring to life the personal stories behind these numbers.

The directing team includes Natalka Vorozhbyt (Venice Critics’ Week selection “Bad Roads”), Iryna Tsilyk (Sundance prize winner “The Earth Is Blue as an Orange”), Christina Tynkevych (Locarno prize winner “How Is Katia?”), Yevhen Tunik (Beta Film’s “In Her Car”), Oleksii Taranenko (“I Work at the Cemetery”), and acclaimed theater director Ivan Uryvskyi (“The Witch of Konotop”), marking his debut in cinema.

Each filmmaker will create unique characters and plotlines, directing episodes in their distinctive cinematic styles while covering a range of genres from futuristic dystopias and intimate dramas to road movies and action-thrillers. Despite their diverse approaches, these stories will share a common theme: exploring resilience, hope, and the universal quest for closure amidst loss.

Kateryna Osadcha, who also serves as a producer on “Missing,” stated, “Our initiative, Find Your Own Foundation, began its mission to locate missing Ukrainians from the very first days of the full-scale invasion, and our team continues to work tirelessly to reunite families with their loved ones. It is crucial for us that the plight of missing children and adults due to this horrific war is known and remembered beyond our borders.”

She further emphasized the importance of the series, saying, “The artistic reflections on this issue by some of Ukraine’s finest directors in ‘Missing’ aim to convey to viewers the dreadful experiences of war. Understanding these personal tragedies is vital, as these are not just numbers but human lives and stories that we are committed to telling.”

Producer Anna Eliseeva, known for her work on the internationally acclaimed anthology series “Those Who Stayed,” brings her experience to the new series. “Those Who Stayed” was co-developed by Film.UA and Red Arrow Studios International and co-produced with several European broadcasters. The series has been sold in over 30 countries, with Netflix securing rights in 19 territories.

“Through the powerful narratives of ‘Missing,’ we aim to illuminate the profound human experience of resilience, hope, and the unyielding quest for healing amidst the tumult of war,” said Eliseeva. “Each story crafted by our gifted team not only illuminates the diverse facets of war but also celebrates the power of storytelling to inspire empathy and understanding.”

In addition to the anthology series, “Missing” will feature a cross-media collaboration with the renowned band DakhaBrakha. Directed by Natalka Vorozhbyt, the collaboration will complement the series’ narrative, offering a standalone artistic expression that amplifies its thematic depth and visual storytelling.