Dumka is the first of the documentaries directed by Sergei Parajanov at the Dovzhenko Film Studio in Kyiv at the very beginning of his career. The film’s subject is the state academic choir Dumka, which became famous for its a cappella singing. The ensemble was established in 1919, in the times of the short-lived Ukrainian People’s (National) Republic. It survived WWII, Stalinism, thaw, stagnation, perestroika, and the repertoire reflected the changes and tastes of Soviet times – with communist-patriotic anthems, folk songs, and pieces of world classical music coexisting. The film itself is a mix of the choir’s performances, moving from the folk songs based on Taras Shevchenko’s poetry to revolutionary songs by Pavlo Tychyna and Ivan Franko. The Soviet Party’s hit Praise the Communist Party is the climax to the film.
Parajanov considered Dumka as his failure. However, it already reflected his creative exploration quite clearly. The director frankly was not interested in the ideological component, but he was looking for the opportunity to discover Ukrainian folklore. Parajanov had no desire to make an obvious musical TV film, so he visualised the words of the songs through tiny poetic narratives.
Thus, each song finds its own imagery. The folkloric motifs that recur in the story, reminiscent of Parajanov’s debut film Andriesh, become a declaration of love for the Ukrainian land. This eclecticism is underlined by the poetic force of images, in which Parajanov often echoes Dovzhenko. He also emphasizes the bond between humanity and nature, admiring the latter. Following Dovzhenko, he reminds us that folk culture emerged from this bond. Like many of his peers, Parajanov discovers Ukraine and its history through filmmaking.

Stanislav Bytiutskyi