Oxygen Station
Promotion of the feature poetic drama
in Ukraine, Czechia, and Slovakia
“Oxygen Station” is a feature poetic drama by Ivan Tymchenko that depicts Mustafa Jemilev’s exile to Siberia in 1980, where he was forced to work at an oxygen station.
In the example of the multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominee, human rights activist, and Soviet political prisoner Mustafa Jemilev as a film protagonist, we will show how small nations, namely the Crimean Tatars, miraculously survived in the Soviet Union, demonstrating resilience, courage, fortitude, and faith.
By offering glimpses into the recent past, specifically the 1980s, and recounting the life of Crimean Tatar rights activist and political prisoner Mustafa Jemilev, the film presents a realistic portrayal of life in exile and the Soviet regime's attitude toward strong-willed individuals to the audience.
Promotion of feature poetic drama "Oxygen Station" will have a limited distribution in the major cities of Ukraine, Slovakia, and Czechia, as a large number of citizens in these countries can understand the themes raised in the film, given their historical background and geographical proximity. For centuries, Ukraine has suffered from the aggressor neighbor whose name has changed (Russian Empire, Soviet Union, Russian Federation), but the desire to enslave and destroy the nation has remained. Though Czechoslovakia, which existed from 1918 to 1992, was not part of the USSR, it was still under the Soviet Union's huge influence.
In today's tumultuous world, where the divide between totalitarian regimes and democratic societies is increasingly stark, the need for stories that challenge the status quo and champion freedom and democracy is more urgent than ever. The film's distribution aims to spread this message both regionally, especially in Central Europe, where memories of totalitarianism still resonate, and globally, to remind people of these regimes' existence and demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope.
Together with our partners Silk Films and Flying Colors Pictures and the support of the Visegrad Fund, we will contribute to increasing the number of such narratives through screenings of the film.
The exact schedule of screenings, including locations and dates, will be announced soon. Please stay tuned for updates.