dir. Oleksandr Kovsh, Ukraine, 2020, 73 min. UKR / PL

Mustache Funk is a captivating Ukrainian documentary that delves into the vibrant emergence of pop music in the Ukrainian SSR during the 1970s. The film traces its roots back to a late 1960s decision by the Soviet Politburo to create Western-style bands to steer youth away from Western music. These groups, known as VIA (Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles), ushered in what many consider the “golden era” of Ukrainian pop music. The filmmakers fittingly titled the documentary Mustache Funk, as most members of these iconic bands sported moustaches. The film chronicles the stories of the most colourful musical groups from this era, with a screenplay penned by Vitaliy “Bard” Bardetsky, a Ukrainian music journalist, concert promoter, and former manager of several Ukrainian pop bands, including Okean Elzy. Mustache Funk premiered at the 49th Kyiv International Film Festival “Molodist” in late 2020.

Born in 1963, Oleksandr Kovsh studied directing at the Karpenko-Karyi National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television in Kyiv. He has worked for numerous Ukrainian national channels, including Internews Ukraine, UT-1, and Ютар. In 2012, he became the chief director of documentaries produced by TRC “Ukraina”