Three questions for... Angelik Ustymenko
Angelik Ustymenko (they/them), Vidnova fellow, Ukrainian filmmaker and queer activist
Angelik Ustymenko (they/them) was a recipient of the Vidnova Fellowship we were funding. It supports civil society actors from Ukraine who have been forced to leave their local context – financially and with mentoring.
What are you currently working on?
The main focus of my practice is queer resistance, community building, art as collective healing and as expression of grief.
Determined to support my community and continue queer resistance amidst war, I have been documenting the experiences of queer people in the context of war, releasing Ukrainian Queer Fighters for Freedom (2022) and Queer Fighters of Ukraine (2023). Additionally, in 2023 I wrote, directed and crowdfunded Before Curfew, a fictional story of queer romance unfolding over one day in wartime Kyiv, which premiered at Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
Currently, I am working on my first feature documentary about queer community in Ukraine. The film is an intimate perspective on the Russia-Ukraine war told through the eyes of Ukraine’s queer community – who, from the dancefloor to the frontlines, never stop fighting.
I live between Kyiv and Cologne, in October I started studying at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, simultaneously continuing working on the project.
Why do you believe this project is important right now?
The documentary I am currently working on touches upon the importance of treating queer subjects as non-homogenous, paying particular attention to the specificities of the Ukrainian postcolonial context, aiming to engage with the temporal elements and the fleeting subjectivity of individuals as queer, civilian, and soldier, as these categories are not rigid but rather fluid.
We are telling a character-led story about the Russia-Ukraine war through the eyes of the queer community but situating this within a context of a decade-long resistance and battle for democracy, equality and safety.
The documentary film aims to share stories and amplify voices of LGBTQI+ individuals affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. Through a unique blend of personal narratives, archival footage, and field recordings provided by soldiers, the film seeks to provoke discussions, inspire legislative changes to secure equal rights and protections for queer individuals and challenge societal perceptions pertinent to different political groups. By exploring the intersectionality of identity and resistance in times of crisis, the documentary strives to foster empathy, solidarity, and support for marginalised communities worldwide.
What are your aspirations for the future, both in your professional and personal life?
Currently, my main priority is the documentary, however, I am also working on an animation short film that explores people’s connection to land and nature.
In my practice, I want to continue fighting for queer liberation, collective healing, and building strong communities.
In line with queer feminist tradition, I believe in the urgency of listening to voices on the ground and learning from their experiences. I am committed to exploring the visible and invisible dimensions of resistance - social, political, cultural, sexual, - and sharing these unique narratives with the world.
After studying at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, I am planning to completely be based in Kyiv, participating in expanding its activist network and sharing the knowledge that I am acquiring here.