THE EUKRAINIAN

Original Title: The Eukrainian
Director: Viktor Nordenskiöld
Producers: Christian Popp, Malcolm Dixelius, Olha Beskhmelnytsina & Sergio Ghizzardi
Year: 2025
Countries: Sweden, France, Ukraine & Belgium
Languages: Ukrainian & English
Subtitle: English
Runtime: 1hr 30m

Main Character: Olha Stefanishyna
Olha is arguably one of the most influential women in Ukrainian politics. A specialist in EU law, she became a member of the Ukrainian cabinet in 2020. At 39 years of age she is now a Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Minister for European and Transatlantic Relations. She is the chief engineer behind Ukraine’s successful bid to become a full candidate for membership in the European Union. 

In the current hectic scramble for Ukraine to secure a just peace after three years of heroic defence against Russia’s full-scale aggression, Stefanishyna is constantly seen sitting next to president Volodymyr Zelensky in international negotiations. 

Olha Stefanishyna is self-assured, stylish, fluent in English, and carries herself well in international forums and on frequent interviews by the media world-wide. 

Working in the corridors of power with Ukraine's young Minister for the EU and NATO in a film about ideals, diplomacy and international grand politics.

Olha Stefanishyna is a woman with high ideals and the courage to fight for them – even when they are literally under attack. Her pro-European will was awakened during the Maidan protests, and when nine years later – now as Deputy Prime Minister with the responsibility for Ukraine’s campaign for EU membership – she receives the call that Russia has invaded the country in 2022, she sends her children to safety and boards a train to help President Zelenskyj lead the country through war – and into the EU and NATO. 

With full access to Stefanishyna, Swedish documentarian Viktor Nordenskiöld is by her side in the dramatic years that followed. ‘The Eukrainian’ is a journey into a labyrinth of EU politics, diplomacy and ideological minefields. 

While Ukrainian forces bravely struggle to hold off Russian invaders, Olha races against time to meet the EU’s strict criteria. She confronts corruption and judicial reform, but also internal opposition from Hungary and an unpredictable US. Meanwhile, the rest of Europe holds its breath.

Director: Viktor Nordenskiöld - Sweden
Producers:
Christian Popp, TAG Film - France
Sergio Ghizzardi, Domino Productions - Belgium
Olha Beskhmelnytsina, 2Brave Productions - Ukraine
Malcolm Dixelius & Viktor Nordenskiöld, FreetownFilms - Sweden

Production Manager:Nathalie Vallet & Amel Bouzid - France & Belgium

Assistant Producer: Zara Arrehed - Sweden

Editor: Audrey Maurion - France

Original Music: Raf Keunen - Belgium

Sound design: Thomas Résimont - Belgium

Image: Viktor Nordenskiöld, Andrii Kotliar, Serhiy Stetsenko, Alain Fisch, Patrice Michaux, Ilja Yehorov, Denys Melnyk - Sweden, Ukraine & Belgium

Production company: FREETOWN FILMS, TAG FILM, DOMINO PRODUCTION, 2BRAVE PRODUCTION

In co-production with: ARTE G.E.I.E., RTBF - UNITÉ DOCUMENTAIRE, SVT, UMEDIA

With the participation of: VPRO - RTS - VRT - VGTC - YLE

With support from: SWEDISH FILM INSTITUTE, CENTRE NATIONAL DU CINEMA ET L’IMAGE ANIMEE, THE CINEMA AND AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE OF THE WALLONIA BRUSSELS FEDERATION, CREATIVE EUROPE PROGRAMME, TAX SHELTER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF BELGIUM, PROCIREP - SOCIETE DES PRODUCTEURS ET ANGOA

With the participation of: SCREENBRUSSELS, in association with UFUND