Vladimir Lert’s «Tevye’s Daughters» is the 2019 Best Feature Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival

The movie won this award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival of 2019

Vladimir Lert’s «Tevye’s Daughters» is the 2019 Best Feature Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival

The annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is rich with cultural traditions. In the 19th century the state of Rhode Island used to be «the summer capital» of the New England’s high society, with Boston and New York’s smart set in attendance. Keeping this tradition in mind, these days Rhode Island thrives on tourism, especially the one of the cultural kind. Besides RIIFF, the state is also home to classical music and jazz festivals, as well as other cultural forums. 

Vladimir Lert’s «Tevye’s Daughters» is the 2019 Best Feature Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival

As for the RIIFF, it is one of the most important indie cinema festivals, as well as one of the leading film festivals in the US. All of this makes the victory of the Ukrainian feature “Tevye’s Daughters” directed by Vladimir Lert even more prestigious. The movie is based on Grigory Gorin’s play “Memorial Prayer” which is in turn based on «Tevye the Milkman» series by Sholem Aleichem, well-known classical Jewish-Ukrainian author of the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Vladimir Lert’s «Tevye’s Daughters» is the 2019 Best Feature Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival

The movie was shot at historical locations near Kiev, including the premises of Pyrohiv, National Museum of the Folk Architecture and Life. The film crew used unique items and interiors of the late 19th-early 20th centuries and even the house purchased in 1873 by the real Tevye who later became a character of Sholem Aleichem’s stories. Due to such a pursuit of authenticity, it took several years to make the movie; but everything the audience sees is as authentic as the historical museum exhibits.

Vladimir Lert’s «Tevye’s Daughters» is the 2019 Best Feature Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival

As a result, the cast and crew’s work has been given its due. As we have mentioned, the movie has won at the RIIFF, coming ahead of almost forty other feature films. Overall the festival included 317 films from 51 countries and 34 US states, featured in different programs.

Photos: “Tevye’s Daughters” stills 

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