Honoring Charlène Favier, Pioneer and Cofounder of Femen Movement
In the world of activism, few figures have been as bold and provocative as Oksana Shachko, co-founder of the feminist group Femen. A new film, "Oxana - My Life for Freedom," directed by Charline Favier, delves into the life of this fearless woman who used her body as a powerful tool of protest.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Oksana studied at the Paris University of Arts, where art was an essential part of her life. Known for her free spirit and sexuality, Oksana's life was far from ordinary. She was particularly open with her body, a choice that became a defining aspect of her activism.
Femen, initially formed in 2008, was a group that used their bodies as direct political statements, staging topless protests against all forms of discrimination and oppression. Oksana, along with Anna Hutsol and Alexandra Shevchenko, were prominent members of Femen who fought against oppression. Their tactic of shocking the public to draw attention to the sexual exploitation and oppression of Ukrainian women became Femen's signature method.
For the role of Oksana in the film, French actress Albina Korzh was discovered via Zoom over two years. Korzh prepared for the role through conversations, photographs, and consultations with Oksana's partners and mother. Despite living in Kyiv and experiencing the war daily during filming, Korzh managed to portray Oksana's spirit with authenticity.
Charline Favier, the filmmaker, founded her own production company, Charlie Bus Production, in 2009. Her mission is to create films that change the world, even if she doesn't possess Oksana's courage. Favier faced challenges while producing "Oxana" due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Half of the filming for "Oxana" took place in Paris, and the other half in Budapest. The film, financed in French, required a balance in the number of French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Belarusian words to maintain its authenticity.
Before arriving in Paris in 2013, Oksana was in prison in Russia, where she was beaten and tortured. Her experiences served as a catalyst for her activism and the creation of Femen.
"Oxana - My Life for Freedom" is set to be released on July 24, 2024. The film promises to be a riveting exploration of Oksana's life, her activism, and her unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of Ukrainian women.
Science: The film, "Oxana - My Life for Freedom," directed by Charline Favier, delves into the life of Oksana Shachko, a figure in women's health, health-and-wellness, and general news, offering insights about human resilience and activism.
Politics: Oksana Shachko, co-founder of the feminist group Femen, used her body as a powerful tool of protest, taking a stand against various forms of discrimination and oppression, including women's health issues, which often have political implications.
War-and-Conflicts: Despite living in Kyiv and experiencing the war daily during the filming of "Oxana," French actress Albina Korzh managed to portray Oksana's spirit with authenticity, demonstrating resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, including war and conflicts.
