Ukraine goes Hollywood

By Aussiegirl

Lookie here -- Ukrainians have their own Hollywood group called the Hollywood Trident Foundation. The Trident -- or "Tryzub" is an ancient Ukrainian symbol dating back to the princely line of Prince Volodymyr the Great, who reigned from 985 a.d. to 995 a.d. and presided over the baptism of all Ukrainians into the Greek Orthodox faith in the year 988 a.d.

The trident was part of his family coat of arms, and ever since has been a powerful symbol of Ukrainian pride, independence and authority. In 1918, when Ukraine declared it's short-lived independence, by law the government decreed that the national coat of arms would be the Golden Trident of Prince Volodymyr the Great on a blue shield.

Here's a recent press release from the Hollywood Trident Foundation and a summary of their raison d'etre:

The Hollywood Trident Foundation will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. at the Wockano Restaurant 10131 - Constelation Boulevard, Century City, CA on Tuesday, April 12th, 2005 to discuss recent developments in Ukraine, President Yushchenko's visit to Washington and new opportunities that have arisen in the entertainment community.

The Hollywood Trident Foundation was formed to foster more films about the contribution of Ukrainians to modern civilization worldwide and also to bring together entertainment and media industry professionals in support of the following further objectives:

1. To support fellow members in their career pursuits in the entertainment and media industry in Hollywood and internationally; and

2. To facilitate contact among professionals working in the entertainment industry who are interested in Ukrainian affairs; and

3. To conduct seminars, workshops and other entertainment projects for members.
The Hollywood Trident Foundation includes members living in the Los Angeles area working in the media and entertainment industries. Affiliates in other cities work with the Foundation.

Persons who work in the entertainment or media industries may sign up as regular members. Persons who do not work in these industries but nonetheless support these goals may sign up as associate members. Anyone desiring membership should email the Foundation for an application form.

Andriy J. Semotiuk
Executive Director
Hollywood Trident Foundation

COMMENTS:

one eyed cat said...
It's kind of sad, but a country really does need a PR firm these days. Ukraine is now sexy and revolutionary, we have to keep it that way. :)
OEC
1:37 PM

ucrane said...
Jack Palance is also in this group anddid great things last year at the Russian emmys - he refused his award saying he was Ukrainian descent and not russian!!
9:05 AM

Aussiegirl�said...
I remember -- good for Jack Palance -- a true patriot. If anyone can get hold of a video of the festivities associated with the opening of the Shevchenko Monument, there is a memorable moment at the official banquet (which my parents and sister attended) when Jack Palance, who was at the head table and gave a short speech, read aloud in English and Ukrainian some beautiful words from Shevchenko -- his delivery was so masterful, that we were all in tears. He obviously felt the emotion from deep in his heart.

And yes, OEC, publicity is where it's at - and Hollywood and the media. In the modern era he who wins the publicity war wins, period. Look how liberals in the U.S. are still able to guide the agenda and mood of the country with their media manipulations and movies and popular culture. For too long Hollywood completely ignored making movies about the evils of the Stalinist era, because there were too many liberals in Hollywood who were secretly so leftist in their politics they could only make movies about the evils of Nazism - which as we know, is Socialism by another name. I will be reviewing a movie that just came out on DVD in a day or so called "I am David" -- with James Caviezel -- which evidently deals with this era.

I also have heard that Yushchenko has had talks with Gerard Depardieu about making quality Ukrainian and other films in Ukraine. Supposedly Yushchenko may write the screenplay for a new "Taras Bulba" with Depardieu either directing or starring. (I will publish more details as I find them.)

Considering that media in Ukraine is almost all exclusively in Russian, the government must support the arts when it comes to anything that promotes entertainment and literature and films in Ukrainian.
12:19 PM