Nice Ladies
The Netherlands, Ukraine2024documentary92'Film Bridge: Docudays UA - KFF (2024)
With the escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the seemingly unbreakable bond of a vibrant cheerleading team of 50+ year old women called "Nice Ladies" is challenged. They face impossible choices between motherland and grandmotherhood, between staying and leaving. Core team member Sveta flees with her family to the Netherlands, while captain Valia and coach Nadia stay behind in the repeatedly bombed city of Kharkiv. Torn apart, the ladies try to keep contact to hold on to their sanity amid terror, heartbreak, and the plague of Sveta's survivor’s guilt. Will the team be able to reunite, save their sisterhood, and find a common language through the emerging scars of war?
- directed by
- Mariia Ponomarova
A Ukrainian film director, screenwriter and creative producer born in 1991 in Kyiv, based in Amsterdam. She studied film directing at Karpenko-Karyi Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television and graduated fromthe Master of Film programme of the Netherlands Film Academy. Short fiction and documentary films written and directed by Mariia were selected for such festivals as DokLeipzig and more. Her projects as a creative producer received numerous prizes. Mariia is a member of the Ukrainian Film Academy and a Senior Consultant at the Documentary Association of Europe.
- cinematography
- Sveta Aparina, Niels van Koevorden, Lola Mooij
- script
- Mariia Ponomarova
- music
- Mykyta Moiseiev
- editing
- Annelotte Medema
- production
- Rogier Kramer (Labyrint Film)
- Photo
