Coolidge Corner Theatre Hosts Fundraiser To Support Ukraine

BROOKLINE, MA — Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline recently hosted Stand with Ukraine Through Film, a fundraiser for Ukrainian relief efforts that included one of the first U.S. theatrical screenings of The Guide, a 2014 Ukrainian film set against the backdrop of Soviet efforts to exterminate Ukrainians in the 1930s.

The event included introductions with Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Senator Cynthia Creem and Massachusetts State Representative Tommy Vitolo, as well as music by a Ukrainian Piano Trio featuring Liubomyr Senyshyn on violin, Margaret Boswell Senyshyn on piano, and Sebastain Baverstam on cello.

Following the screening of The Guide, Ukrainian cinema expert from Columbia University, Dr. Yuri Shevchuk, led a brief conversation with the audience. Oles Sanin, the film’s highly regarded Ukrainian director, also provided a five minute video to introduce the film.

“Film is a powerful tool for generating understanding, empathy and discussion. We are humbled to host this event, which exemplifies the mission of the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation to entertain, inform and engage - building a vital community through film culture,” Katherine Tallman, Executive Director & CEO of the Coolidge, said in a statement. "We hope it inspires generous support and solidarity for the people of Ukraine.”

All box office proceeds from the fundraiser are going directly to providing humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people. The funds will be sent to Human & Civil Rights Organizations of America, Inc., who will distribute the money to organizations helping in Ukraine and nearby countries. Donations are still open and can be made here.

Coolidge Corner Theatre is working with others in the cinema industry to make The Guide available across the nation. Among those supporting this effort are the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, the Ukrainian Film Club at Columbia University, and the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition.