SUFFERN, NY – On the last weekend of April 2025, the Lafayette Theatre will host a powerful three-day Ukrainian Film Festival, using the art of cinema to highlight both the beauty and resilience of Ukrainian culture. From Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, the theater will screen a diverse lineup of films that reflect the country’s history, mythology, and current international struggles—all within the timeless atmosphere of one of Rockland County’s most cherished and historical venues.
Each day of the festival will feature four films, with showtimes from morning to night: 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday’s selections include a mix of family-friendly animations, historical dramas, and documentaries that engage viewers on emotional, intellectual, and cultural levels.
The festival opens Friday April 25th in the evening at 7:00 PM with a short ceremony and the documentary Yaroslav the Wise – Europe’s Father-in-law, a film that traces the life of the medieval ruler who unified the lands of Kyivan Rus. It’s a story of overcoming physical hardship and political fragmentation, told through a modern lens that mirrors the political challenges Ukraine faces today.
Films That Reflect a Nation’s Struggle and Spirit
Among the most accessible entries is Mavka: The Forest Song, based on a Ukrainian literary classic and inspired by Slavic mythology. The English-language film centers on a forest spirit’s efforts to protect her homeland—an allegory that draws clear parallels to Ukraine’s defense of its national identity.
Bucha, an English-language drama based on real events during the 2022 Russian invasion, presents a raw and urgent narrative. It follows a Kazakhstani citizen who stayed behind to help evacuate residents during the early weeks of the war. The film offers both a gripping story and a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict.
The weekend also includes Red [Renaissance] Ty [Romantyka], a filmed stage musical that dramatizes the lives of Ukrainian writers during Josef Stalin’s USSR reign. Likewise, Slovo House explores artistic censorship and the moral consequences of survival under former Soviet Union rule. Both films share a thematic focus on art and identity under pressure.
U Are the Universe, a Ukrainian-French co-production, shifts the tone toward speculative science fiction. The story follows a space trucker who becomes the last known human after Earth’s destruction—until he receives a mysterious signal from another survivor. What begins as a space survival story becomes a metaphor for connection in times of isolation.
Closing the festival is Porcelain War, a 2024 Sundance award-winning documentary. It follows three Ukrainian artists who choose to stay behind and document their experiences as both creatives and defenders of their homeland. “Ukraine is like porcelain, easy to break yet impossible to destroy,” says artist Slava Leontyev—a line that captures the heart of the entire festival.
A Theater That Honors Storytelling and Cultural Legacy
The Lafayette Theatre is an venue as rich in history as the films it will screen. Opened in 1924 during the final years of the silent movie era, and designed by acclaimed architect Eugene De Rosa, the Lafayette has long served as a cinematic gathering place.
While it continues to screen new releases, it’s also known for showcasing classics, hosting live performances, and maintaining the tradition of pre-show Wurlitzer organ concerts. In the early 2000’s, Bernie Williams held a sold out jazz concert at the venue with him on guitar, shortly after retiring from a sucessful career with the New York Yankees.
This film festival continues the Lafayette’s mission of blending entertainment with deeper cultural engagement. It offers more than just a weekend of movies—it’s an act of solidarity with Ukraine and a reminder of the unifying power of storytelling.
Festival Details
- Venue: Lafayette Theatre, 97 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, NY
- Dates: April 25–27, 2025
- Showtimes: Friday at 7:00 PM; Saturday & Sunday at 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 7:00 PM
- Languages: Most films in Ukrainian with English subtitles; some in English
- Age Ratings: Most films are appropriate for audiences 12+ or 16+
- Tickets: Available online at Lafayette Theater website
Whether through historical retellings, animated folklore, or urgent documentaries, these films offer a window into a resilient and passionate nation—one which still fights to fully regain its people’s sovereign independence.