FIFE, Wash. — On a fall afternoon in woods outside Arlington, two men fight like their lives depend on the outcome. One pummels the other with a wooden leg. They’re both actors, taking their cues from film director Oleksandr Berezan.
“This movie is about how a person can start life all over again and how a person can change,” Berezan said during a break.
The movie is called "Mask" and its story mirrors Berezan’s own.
Over a twenty-year career his movies have won Ukrainian Academy Awards. His series “Cossacks” has been streamed in America. Berezan was starting production on a superhero movie when the Russians invaded, forcing him to flee to Western Washington and an uncertain future.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people who were professionals in their homeland come to this country and can't find their path,” Berezan said.
For a year and a half Berezan was lost. And then he wandered into Emish Market in Fife where he met fellow Ukrainian Vladimir Gapon, who just happened to be a fan.
“All his life he had been filming movies and he was lost here,” Gapon said. “It was almost like he was depressed because he didn’t know what to do here.
Together, with another businessmen, they formed a production company called Nova.
Although most of the crew speak Ukrainian, "Mask" is an English language movie, starring local actor Curtis McGann.
“I have no idea what anybody is saying –ever,” McGann said. “But somehow, I will understand kind of what the gist is. So, honestly, it's fun.”
He has worked with bigger budgets in Ukraine, but Berezan is thankful to be back behind a camera, telling stories he hopes the people back him will see.
“He is happy right now,” Gapon said. “He has a lot of stress, but he is happy that the stress comes from making this movie.”
"Mask" will be shooting through the month of November. The hope is that the movie will be in theaters next year and available on streaming services.
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