Over the last three years, the arts community has explored new ways to share its stories and its works despite the restrictions of the pandemic. Digital forms of dance have become increasingly common and Shumka has created three short film projects since 2020. Promised Land is Shumka’s latest short-film, featuring choreographic works from Shumka’s Ancestors & Elders. Through a series of vignettes and dances filmed at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Promised Land celebrates the Ukrainian immigrant journey in Alberta, specifically marking the 130th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada (2021).
In Promised Land we pay homage to our ancestors who persevered with faith and determination for a better life in this new place. They toiled with bended backs, not only for themselves, but for their descendants. Us, among them. We are the benefactors of their dedication and we humbly continue to carry the torch of our culture, our nation, and our homeland in their name.
Shumka is thankful for the support of the Temerty Foundation Community Development Fund, the Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta through the FAVA Studio 19 Project, and The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival. Promised Land was honoured with the following awards in 2022: William & Mary Kostash Award for Media Arts from the Ukrainian Resource & Development Centre of MacEwan University, FAVA Fest Award for Outstanding Inter-Art or Installation, FAVA Fest Award for Outstanding Production Design, and Official Selections of DANCINEMA and Rethink Dance Film Festival.
Promised Land was part of the Shumka on Tour production in 2022. Now, we are releasing it publicly online.
With Promised Land, we salute our ancestor’s perseverance and their inspiring pioneer journey in Canada. At the same time, we look to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are currently taking up arms to protect their homeland.
Ще не вмерла України….
Ukraine’s glory has not yet died nor her freedom.
Promised Land Creative Team
Producer: Ukrainian Shumka Dancers
Darka Tarnawsky, Executive Director
Co-director: Leslie Sereda
Co-director: Joanna Manchur
Director of Photography: Brett Manyluk
Choreographers: Paul Olijnyk, Tasha Orysiuk
Grip Services, Jib Operator: Larry Kelly
1st Assistant Camera: Bob L’Heureux
Grip Services, Jib Operator: Luke MacPhee
Grip, 2nd Assistant Camera: Jared Sanchez
Gaffer: Ken Nemetchek
Production Coordinator: Joshua Semchuk
Production Assistant: Wally Tarnawsky
Script Acknowledgements: Anna Marie Sewell, Miles Konrad, Darka Tarnawsky, Leslie Sereda
Voice over: Annette Bidniak
Composers & Arrangers: Carissa Klopoushak, Mike Romaniuk
Violin: John Calverley
Audio Production Services: Ian Armstong, Wolf Willow Studios
Colour Grading Services: Studio Post
Editor: Leslie Sereda
Hair & Makeup Consultation: Amber Prepchuk
Special Thanks to
Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Woman
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – David Makowsky, Director; Becky Dahl, Curator
Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society
