Interview with Ygen Mate, the head of «CinemaHall» department in Zaporozhe.
Every person has his own story about how, when and why he became a part of a tight-knit «CinemaHall» team. Ygen, please, tell your story.
There were some events in Zaporozhe, about which I learned adventitiously and applied for “CinemaHall” membership. That is how I happened to be a part of «CinemaHall». First I did not get any offers, but started getting e-mails about interesting festivals and events in modern movie world. This data helped me create a viral video for film-contest in Kiev, which was among the 30 best videos out of 460 works. Later I got an e-mail about a new vacancy, applied for it, completed a competition task and became a competent «CinemaHall» member. Since then I have taken part in lots of interesting film events and projects.
All «CinemaHall» members are united by a fancy for cinema. And each of them provides something personal and special. Yura, your nickname “Mate” makes us curious. Are you a big fan of this tonic drink?
This nickname came from my fancy for this drink. I used to like it very much and also I was a master of “Mate In” tea-house, with which I attended different music festivals. Technically this tea-house still exists. We only need a reason and opportunity to go somewhere.
Movies, music, hatha yoga, mountain biking, tracking, capoeira, travelling, festivals. Have I got all of your main hobbies correctly? If so, you must be a very sociable and open person.
Yes, I like sociable and open people, always say everything I think and don`t conceal my history. I have a fancy for many things. Yoga, meetings with good people at festivals and during my trips to Nepal and India affected me the most.
You are involved in promotion and organization of “All-Ukrainian acting school” in your region. What is the most interesting for you in this project and how soon are we gonna see talented actors from Zaporozhe on our TV-screens?
The most interesting thing for me in “All-Ukrainian acting school” is that I get there not only organizational experience, but also positive emotions and pleasure from what I do. Communication with people means a lot to me. And communication in the acting environment is always deep and interesting.
In December 2013 our first actors graduated and now we are waiting for the start of All Ukrainian film-almanac from «CinemaHall» and other projects from our local directors from Zaporozhe who have already offered our guys to take part in their short-movies.
What are your personal plans and plans within the frame of «CinemaHall» for the next year?
We have a lot of upcoming projects: distribution of a new animation Ukrainian film “Sherlock Holmes and little black men”; a project of «CinemaHall» “Love. Cities. Ukraine”; castings for film-directors of Zaporozhe; promotion of “All-Ukrainian acting school” project; new distributions and many other projects. As for my own plans, I would like to have some time to travel with my family at least around Crimea. So far I don`t have enough time to make long-distance trips.
Let`s dream a bit and look into the future. How do you think, what will cinema be like in 10 years? Is it likely to lose its applicability?
Cinema won`t lose its applicability even in 50 years, because it is to be developed further along with modern technologies. A new technology “360 degrees”, which is already being applied, will be better mastered in 10 years. Chances are this system will be improved and it will let us be more wrapped up in the world of movies.
This year we have been hearing more opinions about rebirth of Ukrainian cinema as well as appearance of young film-directors generation, that are capable of making talented and professional movies. What do you think about it and what are you waiting from your fellow-countrymen?
A new wave of modern Ukrainian cinema is already a fact. What I wait from our films is only improvement of quality, because today our cinema is making its first steps in the context of real business. It was a business for government before. Today our movie-makers gain important experience, that will help them make better and high-demand movies that will perhaps bring them money.
Digest:
Favorite film genres: detective, adventures
5 favorite films: «Death proof», «The Lord of the Rings», «The Pirates of the Carrebian», «Sleuth», «Sleepy Hollow».
5 favorite film-directors: Quentin Tarantino, Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, Andrei Tarkovsky, Peter Jackson.
5 favorite actors: Meg Ryan, Audrey Tautou, Johnny Depp, Oleg Basilashvili, Oleg Yankovsky.
Irina Zubkova, journalist, member of «CinemaHall» team talked with Yurii over a cup of mate.
Translation by: Olga Radjabova
