Halyna Kornieieva

Immortalised as one of the most scintillating and uplifting Christmas songs, 'Carol of the Bells' adapted from a popular and loved Ukrainian folk melody, came to represent the spirit of brotherhood and unity all over the world. The peaceful and neighbourly existence of three families, Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish, sharing a large house, musical evenings and merriment in the city of Stanislaviv in the years preceding and post war, is shattered. First in the Soviet occupation and the persecution of the Polish family, then, by the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, and the decimation of the Jewish family. Sacrificing their lives the Ukrainian family manage to save their neighbours' children and their own daughter. Death and loss come to these families, but the healing power and joy , and a promise that the Future Will Not be Cancelled which "Carol of the Bells' evokes will be everlasting.

In the historic Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, despite the cruel war that has been raging since 2014 between the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and the Ukrainian government, people try to survive in the rotten heart of chaos, where violence disguises itself as peace, propaganda becomes univocal truth and hatred reigns in the name of love.

January, 2022. Long-time neighbours and miners Serhiich and Pashka live in a small village in the Donbas. Their lives would be unremarkable were it not for the fact that they are located in a grey zone at the heart of the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. They are neutral arbiters, frequently hosting members of one army or the other, each fully aware of what their neighbour is doing. But as fighting continues and resources diminish, both men know they must connect with a ravaged world beyond their homes.

After many years of actively avoiding her family, Mariia finally decides to pay them a visit, seemingly to celebrate her grandmother's jubilee. However, her intentions might not be as wholesome as it seems, as the true nature of her visit lies in the fact that the birthday girl decided to grant Mariia the ownership over her home. Mariia's uncle Grygorii learns of this and decides to engage in a turf war with his niece, hoping that this will result in the latter changing her mind. However, the young entrepeneur is a tougher nut to crack than it initially looks.

Sasha manages a firm that installs tombstones at the local cemetery. His many customers have all experienced personal tragedies, but he is full of cynicism. One day, Sasha's 14-year-old daughter appears to bring him back into her life.

Everyone considers the world a hopeless old maid. Yes, and the Light itself has long given up on itself: no makeup, no hairstyles, no outfits. Her sister’s husband introduces her to his assistant Cyril, a shy old bachelor who liked Sveta very much. However, he did not arouse sympathy with Sveta, but she is silent about this so as not to offend Cyril. At this time, the former beloved of Sveta returns to the city from abroad. He is the new owner of the restaurant, in which the heroine works as a waitress. Now this is one of the most enviable suitors.

A thief named "Wolf", who could not be caught, decides to start a new life. Having got a plumber, he repairs a leak in the apartment, which is committed robbery. Wolfy and the owner of the apartment are held hostage by two criminals on the one hand, and the capture group on the other. Operation on neutralization of criminals is directed by the captain of militia — the sworn enemy of the former thief. The captain believes that the attack on the apartment antiquarian — the handiwork of the Top. From this moment, in the life of the Wolf burst events that do not dream even in the most terrible dream…