The first feature-length documentary on Ukrainian dance in North America is set to screen in select Canadian and U.S. cities, capturing on film the dance traditions of one of the oldest immigrant groups in both countries.
Titled Folk! the documentary features Ukrainian prima ballerina Roma Pryma Bohachevsky, among the first to introduce ballet-style Ukrainian folk dance to North America. Bohachevsky studied and performed classical ballet in Lviv, Ukraine, and graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Her artistry paved the road to venues in Paris, London, New York, Toronto and many more.
Following World War II, Bohachevsky settled in the U.S. where she focused on Ukrainian dance. She opened dance schools, founded an ensemble called Syzokryli, and started summer camps.
“Basically when I met her, I couldn’t believe that no one had actually done a film about her,” said Folk!’s New York-based director Roxy Toporowych.
From a young age, Toporowych was exposed to Ukrainian folk dancing in her home town of Parma, Ohio. She danced every Saturday and during her spare time shot videos about it. Eventually her filmmaking hobby led her to New York City where she attended Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.
“I quit dancing when I moved to New York just to focus on school. And I ran into Andrij Cybyk who was working with Roma and who was her right hand man,” Toporowych said.
At the time, Cybyk was the assistant artistic director at Syzokryli. He was one of the few dancers who worked for the company and danced under Bohachevsky. Others included Orlando Pagan, a Puerto Rican from the Bronx.
Like Toporowych, Cybyk started dancing in Ohio at Kashtan School of Dance. To date he has performed with the world renowned Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company and toured the globe with over 10 dance companies, including the Riverdance production.
“He kind of convinced me to come back and to start taking classes,” said Toporowych.
