Film mixes fairy tale with 'horrors' of Ukraine war

Pralis blends fairy tale with scenes inspired by real life events

A mature student who made a film merging fantasy fiction with an interpretation of the war in Ukraine, said it is a "magical feeling" to complete his first project.

Alexander Hutchings, 49, from Swindon, came up with the idea of Pralis, as part of his film course at New College, Swindon.

He said he had been inspired by classmate Ihor Kuraliesin, 20, and his experience in Ukraine, so decided to feature an all-Ukrainian cast of four.

After Mr Hutchings put his concept to the team, they shared ideas and cast member Daniella Michel wrote the script, weaving in more of her experience in Ukraine and the emotions the war stirred.

There are some parallels drawn between the male character and a fictional soldier fighting for the other side

The fantasy film of "never-ending enchantment," has one male character, who is doing what he thinks he should do, but the film questions whether he would do that if he could see the whole story.

Parallels are drawn with a fictional soldier fighting for Russia, Mr Hutchings said.

The female characters, played by Tetiana Tymofeienko, 30, Angelina Kosenko, 26, and Daniella Michel, 23, represent the resilience, uncertainty and obedience.

Ms Michel said bringing her experience to the script was a chance to share her rage on the invasion of Ukraine

Ms Michel, who came to Swindon from Ukraine on Boxing Day, 2023, got involved in the project through a creative group of Ukraine nationals in the town.

She said the film was "a big chance to raise my voice on the invasion using the script and character to share the rage I - and my fellow Ukrainians - felt, and feel, about it".

"The feelings of being forgotten, robbed, raped, and everything Ukrainians have been through and writing the script has made me stronger," she added.

Mr Hutchings said because of the authentic emotions, the cast, who are all new to acting, "didn't need advice on the acting or production as everyone channelled real emotion at the horror of war which drove the characters behaviour".

The project was filmed over the course of five days in a Wiltshire forest

The film, which is 12 minutes long, was filmed in a forest in Wiltshire, over five days, and the colours of Ukraine, blue and yellow, were woven into the film through the colours of the costumes.

The cast had creative freedom over the costumes, ensuring they were more "authentically" symbolic of Ukraine, Mr Hutchings said.

Mr Hutchings, who was the producer, director, camera person and editor on the film, spent about four weeks on post production and has now uploaded the film to YouTube.

He hopes to continue the narrative with more short films and "help and inspire others" with the project, he said.