Serhiy Mykhalchuk

Empowered follows seven remarkable Ukrainians — human-rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, singer Jamala, violinist Bohdana Pivnenko, kobzar Taras Kompanichenko, painter Anatolii Kryvolap, the band DakhaBrakha and cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk. Through their work and everyday lives, the film shows a country that keeps making art, defending human rights and building its future even in the middle of a full-scale war. Its subject is not what Ukraine endures, but what Ukrainians go on creating and protecting.

Before the full-scale invasion began, cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk was making feature films that were watched in Ukraine and around the world. His work includes about 40 films, 4 of which were nominated for an Oscar and received dozens of world awards for cinematography. However, with Russia's attack on Ukraine, Serhii Mykhalchuk's focus has completely shifted to non-fictional, real-life stories. Having picked up a camera on the first day of the invasion, he still records the events and participants of the war every day. This is the story of an artist who stood up to defend the country at a crucial moment for the country, and a warrior whose main weapon remains creativity.