Was It Ever Real?
Réalisation Ihor Terzi
Ukraine · 2026 · 1 min 9 s · Experimental
Film soumis au RTV International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
Inspired by my own memories, the story begins in southern Ukraine during the final years of the Soviet era and follows a journey from childhood to adulthood through an evolving visual language. Rather than telling the story through events alone, this project explores how cinematography, color, and artistic style can evolve alongside the character, becoming part of the storytelling itself. The camera evolves. Childhood is portrayed through low-angle, wide compositions that reflect how immense the world feels through a child's eyes. As the protagonist grows older, the camera gradually rises, moving toward more intimate medium and close-up framing. The color palette evolves. Early memories are warmer, softer, and infused with nostalgia. With each stage of life, the palette becomes more restrained, natural, and cinematic, reflecting a more mature perception of the world. The visual style evolves. The film begins as a handcrafted stylized animated world and gradually transitions into full photorealism, mirroring the character's emotional and psychological growth. The score follows the same visual philosophy, gradually evolving from a soft, nostalgic beginning into a more energetic and hopeful conclusion. A cinematic exploration of how visual language itself can mature alongside the person whose story it tells.
Credits
Directed by Ihor Terzi
Réalisation
I’m an AI creator from Ukraine with a background in visual storytelling and a strong interest in cinema, technology, and experimental forms of filmmaking. I create short cinematic works using generative AI, combining AI-generated image and video with sound design, editing, and narrative structure. My projects often explore memory, human experience, technology, and the contradictions of modern life. I’m interested in using AI not simply as a production tool, but as a way to explore new visual languages and storytelling possibilities.
Matériel promotionnel fourni ou expressément autorisé par le titulaire des droits. La publication est distincte de la sélection au festival.
RTV International Film Festival — Inaugural Online Edition · 2026