Bitter Harvest

On February the 24th 2017 it will be released in cinemas “Bitter Harvest“, independent brave film based on true historical facts most people never heard of, directed by George Mendeluk and starring Max Irons, Samantha Barks.

Based on one of the most overlooked tragedies of the 20th century, Bitter Harvest  is a powerful story of love, honour, rebellion and survival as seen through the eyes of two young lovers caught in the ravages of Joseph Stalin’s genocidal policies against Ukraine in the 1930s. As Stalin advances the ambitions of communists in the Kremlin, a young artist named Yuri ( Max Irons ) battles to survive famine, imprisonment and torture to save his childhood sweetheart Natalka ( Samantha Barks ) from the “Holodomor,” the death‑by‑starvation program that ultimately killed millions of Ukrainians.
Against this tragic backdrop, Yuri escapes from a Soviet prison and joins the anti‑Bolshevik resistance movement as he battles to reunite with Natalka and continue the fight for a free Ukraine.

Director: George Mendeluk
Writers: Richard Bachynsky Hoover (original screenplay), Richard Bachynsky Hoover (story)
Stars: Max Irons, Samantha Barks

Release: Friday, February 24

The cast also includes Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp. Director George Mendeluk co‑wrote the screenplay with Richard Bachynsky‑Hoover based on Bachynsky‑Hoover’s original story.

Attending the London gala screening preview actress and producer Alida Pantone, who said of the film: “Film making is an hard but so fascinating business. And when it’s done with the heart, when its used to tell inspiring stories, lighting the truth and making a difference into people consciences, then it deserves to spread around to feed as many souls as possible. I highly recommend to go watch this film.“

We absolutely agree. It is a film not be missed. Particularly worth a mention is the cinematography, by award winner Douglas Milsome.

Watch the trailer: