Russian Federation

25′29″, 2023.

DIRECTED BY

Denis Shably

PRODUCED BY

Olga Filonova, Denis Shably

SCRIPTWRITER

Denis Shably

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Dmitry Novikov

EDITED BY

Denis Shably

U YEN is a Mari band of eight young musicians who play vibrant ethno punk in Yoshkar-Ola and beyond. The peculiarity of the band is in their search for a new sound through combining traditional folk instruments (shuvyr, eya-kovyzh, kusle, kong-kong, shiyaltysh) with modern electronic beats. They are talented and flamboyant. They are very different but are all united by the common idea of preserving and popularizing the Mari culture through their art. But is the Mari culture ready for such experiments?

Denis Shably is a director and screenwriter from the Republic of Mari El. In 2012 he graduated law from Mari State University, in 2018 theater and film acting from Ostankino University of Film and Television, and in 2020 directing from Mikhalkov Academy of Cinematographic and Theatre Arts. He is recepient of many awards, including the gratitude of the Ministry of Culture, Media and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Mari El “For contribution to the development of Mari cinema”.