“Yaremchuk: The Incomparable World of Beauty” (2024): The Literary Potential of a Non-Fiction (Cinema) Text

Abstract

In terms of the discourse of the literary potential of non-fiction (cinema) texts, the article under discussion presents a detailed analysis of the biographical documentary “Yaremchuk: The Incomparable World of Beauty” (2024) directed by Artem Hryhorian. It points out that in order to artistically reconstruct the history of personal and creative growth of the famous Bukovynian singer and folk artist, the first Ukrainian pop star, the lead singer of the VIA “Smerichka” Nazariy Yaremchuk, the filmmakers have skillfully combined a number of non-fictional sources in the film. In particular, these are diaries, memoirs, interviews, expert comments, photographs, film documents, and newsreels, which make the film emotionally rich and authentic, at the same time revealing the deep literary potential of the documentary text. The article emphasizes that Nazariy Yaremchuk’s diaries have become a reliable source of knowledge about him, allowing the readers to understand his inner world, thoughts, feelings, experiences, as well as trace up the sequence of his life events. They do not just outline the author’s inner world, his individual perception of the surrounding reality, but, within the literary discourse, become a unique text, marked with poetry and deep psychology. This cinema text is a literary study of an exceptional personality with a unique inner world and a deep understanding of the Ukrainian soul, with spirituality and close connection to nature, with a desire to preserve and develop folk culture, promoting it in his work. The artist is regarded as a special character of his time. He expresses the spirit of the era whose social and spiritual life is reflected in his fate. The filmmakers present the material in such a way as to convey the hero’s inner feelings and love for his country and his muse – the song. Accordingly, the latter plays a leading role in the film, becoming a means of expressing the inner world and psychology of the hero. The songs that sound in the film set the mood for a certain emotional atmosphere, as well as move on the film narrative, emphasizing the importance of the musical heritage that Nazariy Yaremchuk left behind. It is essential that the cinema text intertextually refers to the legendary film-musical “Chervona Ruta” (1971), the film directed by the Estonian filmmakers “Smerichka Ensemble under the Direction of Levko Dutkivsky” (1975), and the musical film “Chervona Ruta. 10 Years Later” (1981).