A Bit of a Stranger

This documentary follows Svitlana, a Russian-speaking Ukrainian woman from Mariupol, as she explores how Soviet totalitarianism and Russification shaped her family's internal dynamics. Through the experiences of multiple generations of women, the film examines the impact of imperial policies on their national identity and personal relationships. The narrative focuses on the struggles of these women as they deal with war and loss, contrasting the lives of Svitlana, her mother Valentyna, and her daughter Alexandra.

Directed and written by Svitlana Lishchynska, the film is a co-production between Ukraine, Germany, and Sweden, involving production companies Film i Väst and Albatros Communicos. The cast features the director herself alongside family members Valentyna Zahumenna, Alexandra Lishchynska, and Stefania Kudiakova. Released on February 20, 2024, the film has a runtime of 90 minutes and is categorized within the documentary and war genres.