Ukrainian Director Akhtem Seitablayev on His Film Cyborgs HD

October 2014 marked the hottest days in the 242-day battle for Donetsk International Airport. Ukrainian soldiers and fighters of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) — each barricaded in different parts of the terminals — battled for control of the modern airport, which had been renovated for the Euro 2012 men’s football championship. Ultimately, the Ukrainian side lost that battle, which left the airport in ruins. The events at Donetsk airport left an indelible mark on Ukrainian national consciousness and the battle is associated both with pride and pain. Now this story has been turned into a film — titled “Cyborgs” — that has already broken national ticket sales records. “The questions raised in the film are nothing new: we raise them to each other and ourselves,” said director Akhtem Seitablayev. “But on the front line, they pose a different meaning [and have] a different emotional significance.” Cyborgs was released on December 6, Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day. According to the Derzhkino state film agency, it broke Ukrainian records over the first weekend of its release, earning 8.2 million hryvnia ($291,000). Filmed with financial support from the Ukrainian government, Cyborgs was even screened at the Ukrainian parliament during a lunch break. The film’s production team has also joined forces with the Ukrainian Povernys Zhyvym (“Come Back Alive”) foundation to direct part of the cost of each ticket to help the families of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war. Get up to speed on Ukraine. Follow Hromadske! http://en.hromadske.ua Ukraine, Explained. https://medium.com/@Hromadske Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HromadskeInt... Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hromadske