Light from the East

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Light from the East

Directed by Amy Grappell
(Ukraine, 2005–2022, digital, in Ukrainian with English subtitles)
In Person: Filmmaker Amy Grappell

Free Admission with Ticket

First released in 2005, the documentary Light from the East begins in 1991 after the fall of communism. The Soviet Union opens its doors to the West, and a New York acting troupe travels to Kyiv for the first U.S./Ukrainian cultural exchange theater project in Soviet history. The young actors plan to perform a play based on the life of Les Kurbas, a revolutionary Ukrainian director murdered in one of Stalin’s purges. As rehearsals progress, Gorbachev is kidnapped, a military coup overthrows the Kremlin, and the USSR plunges into volatile uncertainty.

The film portrays a personal journey behind the Iron Curtain while highlighting Ukraine’s historic struggle to maintain independence from Russia. This 2022 presentation includes new interviews with several of the performers, who share their perspectives on the realities of Ukraine today.

Visiting Guidelines Masks are recommended in Museum auditoriums. Advance tickets are also recommended. In the interest of your personal safety and community health, please observe all precautions set forth by the MFAH—learn more here. Doors open 30 minutes before the screening starts. No late entry.

Accessibility The MFAH strives to provide a welcoming and accessible experience for all guests by offering a range of accommodations—learn more here.