Carol of the Bells

A slow, sorrowful historical drama that lingers on loss and resilience, carrying a heavy emotional weight through decades of occupation.

Directed by

Olesya Morhunets

Genres

Drama, History

Starring

Yana Koroliova, Andrii Mostrenko, Polina Gromova

Overview

Immortalised as one of the most scintillating and uplifting Christmas songs, 'Carol of the Bells' adapted from a popular and loved Ukrainian folk melody, came to represent the spirit of brotherhood and unity all over the world. The peaceful and neighbourly existence of three families, Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish, sharing a large house, musical evenings and merriment in the city of Stanislaviv in the years preceding and post war, is shattered. First in the Soviet occupation and the persecution of the Polish family, then, by the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, and the decimation of the Jewish family. Sacrificing their lives the Ukrainian family manage to save their neighbours' children and their own daughter. Death and loss come to these families, but the healing power and joy , and a promise that the Future Will Not be Cancelled which "Carol of the Bells' evokes will be everlasting.

How it feels

Dark, bleak, melancholic and earnest. Slow-burning and needs your attention.

About

War, family, grief, survival

Content

Strong violence. Mild gore and language. No sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)