I recently walked in to Lviv University's Theatre Department in Ukraine, and asked the nearest person, if any English-speaking acting students might be available for a table read. It was part of a final check of a war romance screenplay I had written set in contemporary Ukraine. The very kind dean, Myroslava Tsyhanyk, was standing right behind me, and within 24 hours, I was in a room with seven acting students reading 'Odesa'. It was one of the most moving days of my life.
Odesa is a story that already is quite an emotional ride, but to hear kind, genuine and talented young Ukrainians read the scenes I had concocted solo at my desk in Cambridge, was just overwhelming.
Thankfully, they loved the story! and found it very moving, and shared with me useful feedback on some of the details, as for example, where I had used the wrong spelling of a name.
But these were not your usual acting students. They were all generous, dedicated young men and women living through a war, and the extent to which the world pays attention to their country, is a matter of life and death.
It was my third trip to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, after meeting two women refugees at the Polish-Ukraine border in 2022. I have met many wonderful people, all of whom have taken up residence in my heart. My days are now dedicated to bringing 'Odesa' to the screen.
In the story, Odesa, a hardworking reporter in Washington DC, struggles to forge a career in investigative journalism, as her partner walks out, and her newspaper - increasingly reliant on click-bait news - sheds jobs. To keep hers, she must accept a last-minute assignment to Ukraine. With no interest in war reporting, she is suddenly in a war zone, and must rely on her wits, and her guarded fixer, who wonders what on earth she is doing there.
The screenplay has received wonderful feedback...
International Screenwriters Association:
"wonderfully relevant... fascinating... engaging, impactful... remarkably authentic... it's rare when a story is so able to put a reader this close to the action... combines personal stakes with a global conflict... delves into timely themes...vivid world... a nuanced exploration of the personal and emotional landscapes shaped by war"
Script Anatomy, LA:
"emotionally rich, propulsive war drama with two, strong, charismatic characters well-researched... authentic... poignant love story... feels universal. Flin is a great central character especially for an American audience."
The job for me now is to raise awareness of the story so the right producer, lead actor, investor or director, finds out about it. Please consider sharing this blog, or liking/sharing a post I recently shared on Linked In (linked below) which contains a video I recorded whilst in Odesa last week.
Thank you for your support!!
Contact email: daviesk46@gmail.com
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