When Will the Ukrainian Film Dissident Be Released? Watch the Official Trailer

The historical drama Dissident, directed by Stanislav Hurenko and Andrii Alfiorov, has unveiled its official trailer ahead of its theatrical release in Ukraine this September. Inspired by the events of the late 1960s, the film follows a former Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fighter who returns from years in Soviet labor camps only to face a choice that will shape not only his own future, but the lives of those around him.

According to the filmmakers, Dissident explores the strength of one’s convictions, the price of freedom, and the decisions that define history.

The film is set to open in theaters across Ukraine on September 3, 2026. New Ukrainian Cinema learned the release date from a Facebook announcement by Kinomania Film Distribution.

Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, the filmmakers have unveiled its official trailer. Even before reaching cinemas, Dissident earned a Jury Special Mention at the Turin Film Festival.

Dissident: A Choice That Changes Everything

Set in Kyiv in the autumn of 1968, Dissident follows Oleh, a former UPA fighter who survived years in Soviet labor camps and struggles to find his place in a country that has moved on without him. While he remains devoted to the ideals that once defined his life, his wife, Vilena, longs for the peace and simplicity of an ordinary future.

Their lives are upended when a writer named Taras offers to help while concealing his true motives. What begins as a story about trust and the cost of staying true to one’s beliefs soon unfolds into a tale of betrayal, manipulation and a trap from which there is no easy escape.

As a wave of arrests sweeps across the city and the line between victim and betrayer grows increasingly blurred, Oleh must make a choice that will determine far more than his own destiny.

The lead role is played by Oleksandr Pryshchepa, with Viktoriia Romashko of Kyiv’s Young Theatre portraying Vilena. The cast also includes Dariia Tvoronovych, Dmytro Yaroshenko, Vasyl Mazur, and Ihor Khalizov.

Watch the Official Trailer for Dissident

Blending Archival Footage With Fiction

Dissident marks the feature directorial debut of Stanislav Hurenko and Andrii Alfiorov. The screenplay was written by Oleksandr Kachan, Vladyslav Mitsovskyi and Andrii Alfiorov.

Development of the project began in 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the events of 1968, when Soviet authorities intensified political repression following the suppression of the Prague Spring. The filmmakers set out to explore how personal conviction collides with the pressure of an authoritarian regime.

One of the film’s defining visual elements is its extensive use of color archival footage, seamlessly woven into the dramatic narrative. According to the filmmakers, the archival material does not attempt to recreate historical events literally, but instead evokes the atmosphere of the era while reflecting the protagonist’s emotional journey.

Dissident had its world premiere at the 42nd Turin Film Festival, where it was the only Ukrainian feature selected for the main competition and earned a Jury Special Mention.

Oleksandr Omelianov serves as the film’s executive producer. The film is produced by JoyFilms in collaboration with the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio and AR Content, with support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the State Film Agency of Ukraine, and the assistance of the Odesa Film Studio.

Photo: Screenshot / YouTube (JOYFILMS and Kinomania Film Distribution)