Mavka: The Forest Song

2023 1h 39m UK

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 866

AnimationAdventureFamilyFantasy

Synopsis

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Mavka, a Soul of the Forest, faces an impossible choice between love and her duty as Guardian of the Heart of the Forest when she falls for a human, a talented young musician named Lukas.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Natalka Denysenko
Mavka (voice)
Artem Pyvovarov
Lucas (voice)
Nazar Zadniprovskyi
Lesh (voice)
Oleh Skrypka
The One, Who Sits in the Rock (voice)
Olena Kravets
Kylina (voice)
Serhii Prytula
Frol (voice)
Oleh Mykhailiuta
Uncle Leo (voice)
Nataliia Sumska
The Healer (voice)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Oleh Malamuzh
Writers: Yaroslav Voytseshek, Jeffrey Hylton
Languages: Ukrainian
Countries: Ukraine

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 5

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 3.6× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 5

ERA

Did you know

Released 3 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 5

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Dario Vero. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 5

CAST

Did you know

Natalka Denysenko and Artem Pyvovarov and Nazar Zadniprovskyi carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 5

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt6685538 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Oleh Malamuzh directs. Dario Vero scores. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in Ukraine. Dialogue in Ukrainian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Made its money back 3.6× over at the box office.
2Released 3 years ago.
3Original score by Dario Vero. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Natalka Denysenko and Artem Pyvovarov and Nazar Zadniprovskyi carry the top of the cast.
5IMDB entry: tt6685538 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Classified under 10 themes, including "based on novel or book", "fairy", "nature", "folklore".
7Released under 17 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Original score: Dario Vero
Runtime: 99 min · 1h 39m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $5,000,000
Box office: $17,974,964
Return: 359% of budget
Original language: UK
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: Mavka: The Forest Song (2023)

Also by

Oleh Malamuzh

The Stolen Princess
2018 · ★ 6.7

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Community reviews

What people are saying

tropicalicecedar2023-07-26
Mavka: The Forest Song (2023) is an enchanting and magical tale that beautifully weaves love and responsibility in the heart of the forest. The captivating world of Mavka draws you in, and the dilemma she faces between her duty and newfound love with Lukas keeps you emotionally invested throughout. The film is a delightful blend of romance and fantasy, leaving you with a warm heart and a sense of wonder long after the credits roll.
CinemaSerf2023-08-06
★ 6/10
You can't help but spot the Disney and Pixar influences in this gentle Ukrainian family adventure that pits mankind against the beauty of nature. That beauty is personified by the eponymous forest sprite who, along with her community of mythological and animal creatures lives in fear of encroachment by the ravages of neighbouring human kind. On the other side of the mountain live those very people. The status quo is maintained until the arrival of "Madame" - in search of a leaf that may bestow immortality. She offers a great prize to anyone prepared to cross the hills and find it. Meantime, the young "Lucas" has some familiarity with their neighbouring realm and, so in need of the money, he sets off and, well what follows now is a combination of romance and a brutal illustration of just how cavalier mankind can be when nature gets it it's way - peppered with some comedy slapstick largely provided by the would-be fashionista "Frol". The animation is delicately drawn - apparently there is no tech used here - and the characterisations gently convey a message of love, loyalty and the flaws and strengths of human nature. It's even got the odd power ballad to give Edina Menzel a run for her money and though you probably won't remember this for long, it's an enjoyable - if a bit too long - watch with a message for everyone.

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