Ukrainian Film Festival kicks off in Tokyo | NHK WORLD

Ukrainian Film Festival kicks off in Tokyo

A Ukrainian film festival is taking place in cities across Japan. An opening ceremony was held in Tokyo with a powerful documentary about wounded soldiers scaling new heights despite their severe injuries.

The film festival is being organized by the Embassy of Ukraine and other entities.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov spoke at the opening on Friday. He said it is important that people know about Ukrainian culture and the talents of its people.

The documentary follows five soldiers, four with prosthetic legs, who climb Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. After the screening, they appeared live via video link from the front lines of Russia's invasion.

A woman from Yokohama said the film reminded her that war is ongoing. She also called for an end to war.

The festival runs until late November, with 12 films shown across Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai and other cities.