

During an interesting era in the history of Eastern Europe when Russia, under Peter the Great, and Sweden, under King Charles XII, struggled for power, Ukraine was the pawn in the middle. In 1709, Ivan Mazepa, Hetman of Ukraine, which was part of the Russian Empire, signed a pact with the Swedish king promising to support Sweden in its war against Russia provided that Ukraine was given its independence.
Cinematography
Every frame looks like a Caravaggio come alive
Acting
Stupka's Mazepa burns with wounded dignity
Direction
Illienko's operatic vision defies conventional storytelling

Director
Yurii Illienko
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film was essentially buried upon release, only finding its audience after 2014 and especially 2022 made its themes unbearably relevant.
Illienko was already a Soviet cinema legend for 'White Bird with Black Mark'; this was his final film, completed as his health failed.
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