Directed by
Yuri Ilyenko
Also Known As:
A Prayer for Hetman Mazepa (International: English title)
Runtime: Germany:152 min (Berlin Film Festival)
Country: Ukraine
Language: Ukrainian / Russian
Color: Color
imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323279/
Review: http://print.google.com/print/doc?articleid=4oahfCFcLC3
Ukrainian history as a phantasmagoria dream.
The film seems to me to be an interpretation of Hetman Ivan Mazepa and Ukrainian history of his time as seen in a phantasmagoria dream in the mind of the director Ilyenko. There is much in the film that I liked and much that I admired without necessarily liking it.
Much of the cinematography was very effective, some of the symbolism, many images, the occasional humor. There were many very striking parts, in particular the vertep sequence, the devastation of Baturyn, the representation of Peter I. The other strength is the image of Ukraine which is represented in many ways – in the women that populate the screen, or the map of Europe with Ukraine as a woman that gets raped by the powerful men around her, and other symbols. I think that the combination of this image of Ukraine as a victim of violence and the image of Mazepa who attempted to do something for this country that was probably doomed to failure are the main messages that I got from the film.
On the other hand, the film is simply too long. It would benefit from editing and pruning, which could enhance its effectiveness both as a piece of art and as a medium to convey its message. It lacked a certain sense of economy particularly in the last half-hour. Some of the sexual and scatological imagery (especially that involving Peter) seems to me artistically valid and effective, but some seems gratuitous and by its overuse weakens the point it tries to make.
Yuri Ilyenko
KYIV - Yuri Ilyenko's film about Hetman Ivan Mazepa is eagerly awaited. Because Bohdan Stupka appears in the role of the Hetman, people assume it will be a Ukrainian "Ogniem i Miecem" (in which Mr. Stupka played Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky). They are in for a surprise.
Mr. Ilyenko's film, titled "A Prayer for Hetman Mazepa," is based on a script he wrote in the 1970's and is more of an art film than a historical epic. Although the major weight of the role of Mazepa falls on Mr. Stupka, the hetman is played by three actors - the young boy is played by Serhiy Ilyenko, the director's son; the adult Mazepa - by film actor, dancer and one-time Cirque du Soleil performer Serhii Marchenko.
In the film, feeling betrayed by Mazepa, Peter I searches all over the world for him finally finding him in his grave. Peter disinters the body and the corpse comes to life. But all this takes place in Peter's dream. With the ghost of the old Mazepa as guide, Peter and his nemesis embark on a phantasmagoric journey. The story is not told in chronological order - sometimes two or even all three Mazepas appear together. The film is not yet finished; although most of the interior filming has been done, an expedition to Poland for exterior filming is being planned.
A NICE introduction of Ukrainian Cinematographic Art, including some great films like "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" or "Babylon XX" etc.
A.Prayer.for.Hetman.Mazepa.(2001).VP6.AAC.ukrainian.by.na3ar.avi 
(THE First Yuri Ilyenko film appeared on mule!!! One of the greatest filmmaker and cinematographer of ukraine...8O THANKS GODDESS, I've been seeking for his film soooo long time...
)Lots of sources.
Awesome and dreamlike cinematograph... 
although the image quality is not the best, and seems you need VP7 codec to play it, I tried VP6 but no use. 
