For the past 24 years, MoMA’s annual Doc Fortnight film festival has showcased bold new nonfiction and hybrid fiction films from around the world. Razom Cinema supported the North American premiere of Lesia Diak’s documentary Dad’s Lullaby, an intimate documentary following a Ukrainian veteran’s return home. Additionally, the film team hosted a special screening at Columbia University, bringing the film to a broader audience of students, scholars, and members of the Ukrainian community.
MoMA’s Doc Fortnight Festival
The selection of Dad’s Lullaby at Doc Fortnight, MoMA’s prestigious nonfiction film festival, provided an invaluable platform for sharing its deeply personal and urgent story. The diverse audience engaged with the film in a profound way.
Key points from conversations with the audience:
- Many attendees, including those unfamiliar with the realities of war, expressed how the film deepened their understanding of the silent battles faced at home by veterans and their families.
- Filmmakers encountered several U.S. viewers who voiced frustration and concern over their government’s stance, particularly its perceived alignment with Putin’s regime.
The presence of Nadiia Zinchuk, featured in the documentary, at the North American premiere of Dad’s Lullaby on March 3, 2025, was significant for multiple reasons. As the wife of Serhiy Zinchuk, a Ukrainian war veteran struggling to reconnect with his family after years of trauma, Nadiia brought a personal and emotional layer to the event. Her participation allowed the audience to understand the Zinchuk family’s current struggles, providing a deeper connection to the film’s themes.
The film explores universal themes of love, loss, and healing—drawing from both the Zinchuk family’s experiences and Diak’s own. Nadiia’s willingness to share her perspective likely deepened the audience’s understanding of how war fractures familial bonds and how individuals like her navigate these challenges. Her participation in the festival marked a powerful testament to the relevance of the film in a world grappling with the human cost of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Razom Cinema sat down with the director Lesia Diak and Nadiia Zinchuk to talk more about their collaboration and the mission of this film.
Columbia University Screening
The screening at Columbia University provided a more intimate space for discussion, particularly with students and academics focused on human rights, trauma, and war studies.
Key takeaways from conversations with the audience:
- Students drew parallels between the film and post-war reintegration challenges in Ukraine and other societies, including the U.S., fostering a meaningful conversation about global solidarity.
- Academics in attendance discussed the importance of archiving such stories to ensure the human cost of war is not lost in political discourse.
- The audience was deeply moved by Nadiia Zinchuk’s presence and appreciated her willingness to answer questions about the collaboration with the director. Her reflections on her name, which means “hope,” and her hope for a reunion with Serhiy, resonated strongly. Equally powerful were her insights into how her children are overcoming the burdens of war, finding strength and belonging through education.
From Lesia Diak: “The support from Razom for Ukraine allowed us to reach new audiences, spark critical conversations, and reinforce the necessity of storytelling in shaping historical memory. The premiere and screening not only raised awareness about the realities of war but also strengthened connections between us as Ukrainian filmmakers and the artistic and academic community in New York. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to bringing Dad’s Lullaby to even more audiences worldwide. Thank you for believing in this story.”
