Ethnic cartoon
The Bozhychi folk band introduced its first animated music video for the song “Herasym asked me” at Kyiv’s Kinopanorama Cinema. Filming lasted for nearly a year, and the video will be premiered on national television soon. “Herasym” has become the face of the band’s third album released under the title “Life is not enough for love.”
The music video is full of Ukrainian landscapes, folkways, costumes, and genuine ethno music, and was made in the finest traditions of Ukrainian animation. All the characters are based on the band members, and the video recounts life in the countryside in the early 20th century, as seen through an urban photographer’s eyes. The author of the script, director, and cartoon animator is Yurii Borysenko, who worked with producer Armine Gabriielian from the Habri Center.
“Bozhychi’s animated video is proof of our national culture’s authenticity, its beauty and deep roots, which convey identity and means a lot to the contemporary generation,” said Valerii Hladunets, an organizer of folklore festivals, during the premiere.
“We recorded our repertory during numerous folkloric expeditions. The main part is represented by ritual songs (Christmas carols, spring, Easter songs, petrivky-songs associated with the Feast of St. Peter - and wedding songs). Through these songs we want to show people the depth and beauty of our culture,” said the leader of the band Illia Fetysov.
