The independent animated series ‘Not Long Before’ is described as a social drama with elements of a psychological thriller. The story unfolds in the Donbas in the early 2010s, in the fictional city of Soliansk, and follows Anna Mitskevych, a journalist at a regional TV channel
Soliansk embodies the region’s industrial cities, and the TV channel is funded by the mayor.
‘Each day in Mitskevych’s life is marked by stagnation. She would like to change something, but power has always seemed too burdensome to her — even if it’s just power over her own personal life. But one day, she receives a rather interesting offer’, the project description reads.
The project is not based on a true story, but, according to director Rina Kellermann, who was born in Horlivka and lived in Sloviansk, the setting, atmosphere, and certain details are inspired by real-life experiences.
According to the director, the series’ main goal is the cultural de-occupation of the Donbas:
‘I know exactly what I’m making this animated series about, and one of my goals is to preserve Ukrainian Donbas — at least in an artistic and cultural sense. The region has been experiencing not only physical but also cultural occupation for a very long time’, she says in an interview with Improvisator.
The core team behind ‘Not Long Before’ consists of four members. Kellermann writes and directs the series, while also co-animating with Miraak. The voice acting is handled by Lifecycle studio.
The project is currently planned as a miniseries, but the team still needs funding. Otherwise, ‘Not Long Before’ will become a short film.
