Famine-33 (1991)
A stark, black-and-white Ukrainian drama bearing witness to the Holodomor — one of history's most devastating and long-silenced human tragedies.
Famine-33 - Movie Information
- Original Title: Голод-33
- Release Year: 1991
- Directed by: Oles Yanchuk
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Ukrainian
- Spoken Languages: Russian, Ukrainian
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 1, 1991 (SU), December 15, 1993 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Holod-33 (US)
- Production Companies: Dovzhenko Film Studios
- Production Countries: Ukraine
Famine-33 - Plot
The film about the Holodomor famine in Ukraine, based on the novel 'The Yellow Prince' by Vasyl Barka. The film is told through the lives of the Katrannyk family of six. It relies more on images than on words shot in black-and-white.
Famine-33 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the film's haunting imagery for yourself:
Where to Watch Famine-33
Looking for where to watch Famine-33?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Famine-33 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Oles Yanchuk
Main Cast
- Oleksiy Horbunov
- Galina Sulima
- Heorhiy Morozyuk
- Maksymko Koval
- Olenka Kovtun
- Leonid Yanovskyi
- Petro Beniuk
- Larysa Kadyrova
- Konstiantyn Kazymyrenko
- Nionella Svitlychna
Writers
- Serhiy Dyachenko
- Les Tanyuk
Famine-33 - FAQs
What is Famine-33 about?
Famine-33 follows the Katrannyk family through the horrors of the Holodomor, the man-made Soviet famine that devastated Ukraine in 1932–33. Shot in stark black-and-white and based on Vasyl Barka's novel The Yellow Prince, the film relies on haunting imagery over dialogue to convey the scale of human suffering.
Is Famine-33 based on a true story?
Yes. The film is rooted in the real historical tragedy of the Holodomor, the Soviet-engineered famine of 1932–33 that killed millions of Ukrainians. It adapts Vasyl Barka's semi-autobiographical novel The Yellow Prince, which drew directly on the author's own memories of surviving that catastrophe.
Is there a post-credits scene in Famine-33?
No, Famine-33 does not include a post-credits scene. The film ends with a somber, deliberate finality that reflects its subject matter — the devastation of the Holodomor — leaving viewers with the weight of the tragedy rather than any additional narrative coda.
Why was Famine-33 significant for Ukrainian cinema?
Famine-33 was one of the first Ukrainian films to openly confront the Holodomor, a topic suppressed under Soviet rule for decades. Released in 1991 as Ukraine declared independence, it marked a watershed moment — a nation finally able to mourn and document its own history on screen.
Who directed Famine-33 and what is his background?
Oles Yanchuk directed Famine-33, his debut feature. A Ukrainian filmmaker, Yanchuk became known for tackling difficult chapters of Ukrainian history. He later directed Assassination — An Autumn Murder in Munich (1995) and The Undefeated (2000), cementing his reputation as a chronicler of national memory.
What are the main actors in Famine-33?
The cast is led by Galina Sulima as Daria Katrannyk and Heorhiy Morozyuk as Miron Katrannyk, the parents at the heart of the story. Oleksiy Horbunov plays a Bolshevik official, with Petro Beniuk, Nionella Svitlychna, and Leonid Yanovskyi rounding out the ensemble.
How was Famine-33 received by critics?
Critics praised Famine-33 for its unflinching honesty and visual restraint. The black-and-white cinematography by Mykhailo Kretov and Vasyl Borodin was widely admired for transforming historical atrocity into visceral, poetic imagery. The film is regarded as an essential document of Ukrainian cultural and historical identity.
What are some films similar to Famine-33?
If Famine-33 resonated with you, consider Mr. Jones (2019) and Bitter Harvest (2017), both of which also depict the Holodomor. The Zone of Interest (2023), Schindler's List (1993), and The Grapes of Wrath (1940) share its unflinching examination of human suffering under oppressive systems.
More About Famine-33
Explore further details about Famine-33 on these authoritative resources.