We have a very special presentation this month at The Cube Cinema Series on Friday, Sept. 11. In conjunction with Ukrainians of Colorado, we are screening Ash and Crayons, the latest documentary from Academy Award-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the film starts at 7pm. We will collect food for the MSU Denver food pantry, and you will receive a token for free popcorn and a drink with a donation. More information and tickets are available at mca80238.com.

Get your tickets early for this one since we are expecting a large crowd.

Ash and Crayons (2025)

This unique and stirring film tells the story of a group of eight Ukrainian children who became victims of war but did not let that define them. The resilient group includes athletes and performers, and we get to see and hear their stories throughout the film. The overall style is quite clever: It is mostly animated, interspersed with live footage and interviews with the children. The animated sections carry heavy weight but also lighten the load of war, trauma, and heartbreak just enough. Nothing is glossed over, but the style is palatable and even inspiring.
Afineevsky’s films document, educate, inspire, and call us to action. This one is no different, so I hope you can join us on Sept. 11 for the special screening of this film.

Ash and Crayons

Sirāt (2025)

This is an astonishing work from director Oliver Laxe. At a press conference at Cannes last year (where the film won the Jury Prize and was nominated for the Palme d’Or), Laxe referred to the film as “daring and bold.” I’m not usually one to agree with how filmmakers see their own films, but in this case, I couldn’t agree more. This is a wild ride of a film, one that tries and tests us as an audience and one that asks a lot of questions about our existence and our journey through life. If that sounds ambitious or even pretentious, it is certainly the former but definitely not the latter.

The story follows a man, Luis, searching for his daughter amidst the rave circuit of northern Africa. He brings along his young son, Esteban, as they live out of his minivan and pass out fliers at raves. When a government convoy converges on a rave near Morocco and leads everyone out, a few trucks of ravers break ranks and head off on their own. Luis and Esteban follow.

Sirāt

Director Laxe had very specific ideas for the film, including authentic representations and using nature as a character. The actors are all nonprofessionals, and the locations are breathtakingly beautiful while also harsh and dangerous. Both perform beautifully, and seeing the ravers in their element is particularly enjoying and illuminating. The cinematography is gorgeous; the settings, editing, and sound all work well together seamlessly; and the characters are exquisite together.

The film has several layers beyond the story, and the depth comes into focus as the journey becomes metaphorical. The road trip, the connections, the obstacles, the horror, and the results hold more value representationally than the story events themselves. Yes, it is very difficult to watch and digest, so it might soothe you to see it as allegory. Overall, it is certainly worth the time, but it is a tough one.

Vincent Piturro, PhD, is a professor of film and media studies at MSU Denver. Email him at vpiturro@msudenver.edu. For more reviews, search The Indie Prof at FrontPorchNE.com.