A new documentary about Kuzma will be released
On August 13, Ukrainian movie theaters will begin screening the documentary *Kuzma: Terribly Funny*, about Andriy Kuzmenko, the leader of the band *Skryabin*. The film was created using unique archival materials, most of which have never been published before. The filmmakers promise to portray Kuzma not only as a famous musician, but also as the person known to his friends, family, and closest circle.
The biographical documentary “Kuzma: Terribly Funny” will be released in Ukrainian theaters on August 13. The film is dedicated to Andriy Kuzmenko—a musician, TV host, writer, and frontman of the band “Skryabin,” who remains one of the most beloved figures in Ukrainian music even many years after his death.
The film was produced by KNIFE! Films. This same team previously created the documentaries “Yaremchuk: The Incomparable World of Beauty,” “Okean Elzy: Storm Watch,” and “EPISODES: Ukraine at the World Cup.”
Archival materials are the main feature of the new film. According to the creators, a significant portion of the videos and photographs included in the film have never before been shown to a wide audience. Project producer Maksym Serdyuk explained that the team deliberately sought to move away from the usual format of biographical films. “We wanted the viewer to spend this time with Kuzma himself—to see him as he really was,” Serdyuk noted.
Artem Grigoryan directed the documentary. The film tells the story of Andriy Kuzmenko from his youth in Novoyavorivsk to his rise as one of the most influential artists of independent Ukraine.
According to the filmmakers, over 400 hours of video and audio recordings were reviewed during the production of the film. In addition, the team processed over 22,000 photographs to recreate the various periods of the musician’s life as accurately as possible.
Director Artem Grigoryan emphasizes that his goal was to show Kuzma in a broader light than his fans are accustomed to seeing him. “We wanted to uncover little-known chapters of his life and show the man beyond the familiar images,” the director said.
The story centers not only on the stage, concerts, and fame. The filmmakers promise many personal moments, archival footage, home videos, and stories that will help viewers better understand who Andriy Kuzmenko was outside of his public life.
Screenings of the film will take place not only in Ukraine. Simultaneously, the film will be released in 20 other countries around the world. This will allow Ukrainians abroad and an international audience to see Kuzma’s story. The film is distributed by B&H Film Distribution.
Andriy Kuzmenko died on February 2, 2015, in a car accident. His songs, books, interviews, and quotes remain popular to this day, and Kuzma himself has become a symbol of sincerity, self-irony, and authenticity for many Ukrainians. The new film aims to portray Kuzma exactly as he was—lively, cheerful, candid, and very human.
Earlier, Ivo Bobul publicly defended Taisiya Povaliy and Ani Lorak, who had moved to Russia and subsequently supported her position. The singer believes that conditions were created in Ukraine that made it impossible for them to continue their careers.
After People’s Artist of Ukraine Ivo Bobul justified his fellow countrywoman Ani Lorak’s move to Russia by claiming that she was allegedly prevented from working in Ukraine, the singer herself—who is accused in Ukraine of betraying her homeland—also voiced this version of events.
