The most anticipated movie premieres of February.

It's great that the Ukrainian film distribution pays attention not only to blockbusters but also to quality festival cinema, especially during the awards season. Festivals that once introduced films to audiences have now given way to awards and theatrical releases. Therefore, we have gathered the most significant premieres that you can see in February.

“The Canadian”

Oh, Canada, directed by Paul Schrader, premiere – Cannes Film Festival, release date – February 6

A deeply personal story that reflects global issues and upheavals is presented by Cannes veteran Paul Schrader (“American Gigolo,” “The Walker”).

This is the tale of a fictional writer and director, Leonard Fife. During the Vietnam War, he escapes to Canada to avoid conscription. He becomes well-known and successful. But just before his death from a serious illness, he gives an interview and reflects on how his decision to flee impacted everything that happened to him afterward.

Jacob Elordi, known from the series “Euphoria” and films “Saltburn” and “Priscilla,” plays the young Leonard. Richard Gere, who previously worked with Schrader in “American Gigolo,” portrays him in old age. Uma Thurman also stars in the film.

Schrader constructs his film like a puzzle that can be challenging to watch. However, both the story itself and its execution deserve the utmost attention and high praise.

“Partenope”

Partenope, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, premiere – Cannes Film Festival, release date – February 6

“Partenope” by Paolo Sorrentino follows its heroine from birth to the present day, set in Sorrentino's beloved Naples, a city he openly adores.
Sorrentino’s most famous film, “The Great Beauty,” earned him an Oscar. However, that beauty was cold and somewhat detached; here, it is warm.

Partenope is a beautiful girl born from the sea (in the literal sense) who lives in a luxurious palace by the shore.

This time, for Sorrentino, beauty is not a means but an object of study. It’s no coincidence that his heroine becomes a professor of anthropology.

Model and actress Celeste della Porta (in modern times, Partenope is played by Stefania Sandrelli) is indeed very beautiful. However, in the film, as she experiences numerous events, losses, and disappointments, she remains a perfect ancient statue, whose emotions and thoughts cannot be perceived by either the characters in the film or the audience. Yet both are easily enamored by the heroine.

Ultimately, it results in an extraordinarily beautiful yet simultaneously sad film, where behind the visual perfection, one can discern the drama.

“Here and Now”

Here, directed by Robert Zemeckis, premiere – AFI Fest, release from February 13

“Here and Now,” directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Back to the Future,” “Forrest Gump”) featuring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in leading roles, reunites the team behind the legendary “Forrest Gump.”

The screenplay is based on Richard McGuire's graphic novel “Here,” published in 2014, which is an expanded version of the eponymous comic from 1989 by the same author.

The film tells the story of people living on the same plot of land in New England from 3 million years B.C. to the present day. The main action unfolds in the 20th century and the early decades of the 21st century, which is where the director has focused his attention.

The film is shot entirely from a fixed point. The camera never moves, zooms in, or even turns. Only time moves, and quite swiftly. Over a century of life in a single American living room unfolds within a lively 104-minute narrative.

“The single perspective never changes, but everything around it does. In reality, no one has done this before. Similar scenes exist in very early silent films, even before the language of editing was invented. But aside from that, yes, it was a risky venture,” Zemeckis shared in an interview with Vanity Fair.

And while this film hasn't been released yet, there's no need to be bored! In the online cinemaSWEET.TV, you can find global and Ukrainian film premieres, timeless classics, cult series, and other unique film offerings. With SWEET.TV, your evening is guaranteed to be interesting!

“Under the Volcano”

Under the Volcano, directed by Damian Kocur, premiere – Toronto Film Festival, release from February 13, main photo

The film “Under the Volcano” by Polish director Damian Kocur tells the story of a Ukrainian family during the first days of the full-scale invasion. The lead roles are played by Anastasia Karpenko (“The Transporter,” “Me and Felix,” “How’s Katya?”) and Roman Lutskiy (“Reflection,” “The Guardian,” “Devoted”).

The events take place on the last day of a Ukrainian family's holiday in Tenerife. They are unaware that their return to Kyiv will be disrupted by Russia's attack on Ukraine.

This is Damian Kocur's second feature film. His previous work, “Bread and Salt,” received a special prize at the Venice Film Festival and participated in last year's Odesa Film Festival as well as in Ukrainian distribution.

Additionally, Damian Kocur, along with Anastasia Solonevych, directed the short film “How It Was,” which was part of the Cannes Film Festival.

“I would love for our film to reach more people than my first film because its political and social message is urgent, especially now when the world is once again on fire,” the director wrote.

Poland submitted the film for the Oscar, but unfortunately, it did not make it to the nominations.

“The Brutalist”

The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, premiere – Venice Film Festival, release from February 20

The film “The Brutalist” by director Brady Corbet, which has already won three Golden Globes and an award at the Venice Film Festival, is considered one of the main contenders for the Oscar.

The film has already received numerous reviews, with critics calling it one of the best films of 2024.

The plot centers around a real-life architect, Hungarian Jew Laszlo Toth, who managed to survive Auschwitz. He fled post-war Europe to America. Laszlo settles in Pennsylvania, where he tries to rebuild his life, career, and restore his relationship with his wife, from whom he was separated by the war.

The lead role is played by Adrien Brody (“The Pianist,” “The French Dispatch,” “The Night in Paris”), with Felicity Jones (“The Theory of Everything,” “On Gender”), Guy Pearce (“Memento,” “Prometheus”), Joe Alwyn (“The Favourite,” “The Kindness of Strangers”), Stacy Martin (“Nymphomaniac,” “The Young Godard”), among others, also starring in the film.