Mavka. The True Myth (2026)

We picked this film because it is rated quite well on this site. Maybe it is Ukrainian, but it all comes across as amateurish. It is about a group of biologists who go into the forest to conduct research for a few days. What research they are actually doing doesn't seem that important. They are examining a beetle. But the handsome boy of the group encounters a beautiful forest nymph and initially wants to kill him, but because his soul is pure or something, she falls in love with him... yawn.... Every time she appears, the smoke machine is turned on.

Translated from Dutch · View original

The Mavka is fun, beautiful, funny, sweet, and innocent, and searching for her place in everything that matters—just like the lover she has chosen in this fairy tale. Fun and refreshingly unusually executed, with a very fine cast and delightfully unconventional visual tricks that speak volumes about both creativity and the lack of a mega-budget. Towards the end, there is an occasional lapse, but there is so much positive to offset that it doesn't matter.

A very nice video to watch before you start the summer and the adventures in the great outdoors that come with it. And then just dream about encountering the Mavka, and that she is well-disposed towards you.

Translated from Dutch · View original