Mykola Kondrashev is an award-winning cinematographer and photographer based in Kiyv who also holds a master's degree in psychology.
With his experience on a wide array of projects including commercial music videos, feature films, and television series, Mykola has honed his skills to create captivating and powerful visuals.
Mykola’s impressive portfolio of projects spans the globe and he has worked with huge names like Coca-Cola, Radisson and Nescafé.
Mykola’s dedication to his craft is evident in all of his work, and we are excited to welcome him on board the Yellow Van to learn more about his journey as a cinematographer, how his daily routine has changed during the war and how the deep divide of war can split right through the middle of a family.
And, as always, a lot more.
Welcome to the Yellow Van, Mykola!
Shortly after the recording of our episode, Mykola received mail from the army to be registered with them. As I am recording this, Mykola, like countless other Ukrainians is waiting for his marching order. It could come any moment of any day. Alex Kraev from Odessa, who you might remember from one of the previous episodes, has already been at the front for almost two months now. In one of his latest Facebook-Posts, he wrote: "I am not dead, I am learning." War becomes something else entirely when you know the people who are thrown into it.
SHOW NOTES
Nyvky - a suburb of Kyiv [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyvky]
V2 Rockets [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-2_rocket]
Bucha [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucha,_Kyiv_Oblast]
Irpin [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irpin]
Cossacks [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cossacks]
Khokhol [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/khokhol]
Oseledets [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oseledets]
Khmelnytsky Uprising [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmelnytsky_Uprising]
Takflix, Ukrainian film streaming service [https://takflix.com/en]
Wladiwostok [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladiwostok]
Sergei Loznitsa, Ukrainian director [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Loznitsa]
My Joy, film directed by Sergei Loznitsa [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Joy]
Link to the episode with Alex Kraev [https://www.yellowvanstories.com/alex-kraev-punked/]
Mykola Online
Mykola’s Personal website [https://kondrashev.com.ua/]
Mykola’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kondrashev.mykola]
Mykola’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mykola.kondrashev/]
Donations
Civilian: Psychological Association of Ukraine [https://www.npa-ua.org/donate?lang=en]
Military: Eyes On Ukraine, Support for Drones [https://eyesonukraine.eu/]
Love In The Face Of Fear [https://jimkroft.bigcartel.com/product/love-in-the-face-of-fear] Jim Kroft [http://www.jimkroft.com/]
Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/yellowvan]
Yellow Van Stories is a Mind the Bump [https://www.mindthebump.de/] Production.
00:00:00 Emotional Impact of European Support
00:00:49 Focus on Ukrainian Stories: Cultural Identity and Narratives
00:01:29 European Support: Essential for Democracy
00:02:01 Introduction to Mikola Kondrashev
00:04:56 Mikola's Personal Struggles and Adaptation
00:12:16 Denial and Acceptance of War Realities
00:19:52 How has the differing political views of your parents influenced your family life?
00:33:45 Exploration of Ukrainian Identity
00:40:52 Language and Culture: Tools of Imperialism
00:56:03 Impact on Ukrainian Film Industry
01:02:57 Personal Loss and War's Pervasive Impact
01:13:05 Mikola's Filmmaking Journey
01:23:52 Cultural Comforts: Music and Film
01:32:11 Future Uncertainties and European Support
