The animated film worth almost 200 million hryvnias was shot based on Lesya Ukrainka’s extravaganza drama “Forest Song”.

The main trailer of the long-awaited Ukrainian animated film “Mavka. Forest Song” has been released, which will be released in the country on March 2, 2023.

According to the press service of Kinomania Film Distribution, the new video contains exclusive footage that reveals more about the plot. In the trailer, Mavka appears before the audience in a new image – she wakes up after winter sleep and awakens the entire Magical Forest. The video also tells about the ancient bitter struggle between two worlds – the World of the Forest and the World of People.

The video shows incredible locations inspired by Ukrainian landscapes, although the locations of the cartoon are not their exact copies. Taking the landscapes of Ukraine as a basis, the artists of the project created a new fantasy world of Mavka.

“When we started working on “Mavka”, we wanted to adapt Lesya Ukrainka’s brilliant “Forest Song” for family animation, make a happy ending, raise real-life topics, such as environmental issues. But we had no idea how much the plot would resonate with events that befell every Ukrainian in 2022 and continue now. However, we believe that, both in our cartoon and in life, light will definitely defeat darkness, and love will tame evil,” said the creative producer of the project, Hanna Eliseyeva.

At the same time, as the director of the animated film Oleg Malamuzh explained, Mavka’s universe is rich in secret meanings, and every element of it is thought out in detail.

“We advise the audience to be attentive when watching the trailer, and later – the cartoon, so as not to miss any important detail. For example, the Magical Forest of Mavka. The artists and animators paid attention to every leaf, the objects are very well worked out technically, also in Ornaments and symbols are an important part of our history, they are depicted on trees, stones, on the heroes themselves and their clothes, household items, etc. For example, the landscape on the tops of the hills on which the village is located is depicted in the form of paintings that symbolize the birth and preservation life, fertility. And the images of the characters reproduce their characters and peculiarities of the environment in which they live,” said the director.

In addition, the trailer presents for the first time the soundtrack “Language of the Wind” performed by Khrystyna Solova, the performer of Mavka’s songs, and singer Artem Pyvovarov, who gave his voice to Lukash. The artists wrote the lyrics to the song together, and Artem created the music. The premiere of the song and its music video will take place on February 14.

“Mavka. Forest song” – what is known about the animated film

The 3D cartoon “Mavka. Forest Song” is based on Lesya Ukrainka’s extravaganza drama “Forest Song” and images of folk mythology. It is considered one of the most anticipated modern Ukrainian films. Its development began back in 2015, and the budget reached almost 200 million hryvnias.

Three Ukrainian artists worked on the character of Mavka at once: actress Natalka Denisenko voiced the main character, singer Khrystyna Solovii sang in two official soundtracks of the film, and prima ballerina Kateryna Kuhar gave her movements and plasticity.