Director of Baba Babee Skazala, Matej Silecky, was interviewed by Voice Of America Ukraine in September 2019 for Window On America. Here is a direct link to that interview:
“A unique film about World War II through the eyes of her children: a masterpiece that everyone should see will be brought to Ukraine.
This is a truly unique project.”
~Max Tone, Akcenty UA
In the US, they made a movie about the biggest tragedy of the Ukrainian people: "Who are we going to shoot today?"
Article from BBC Ukraine
"Boy, who are we going to shoot today - Germans or Russians?" asks a Soviet officer at 5-year-old Bohdan, holding out his gun to his parents' eyes. The year 1944 is coming and the life of the family is literally in the hands of the child.
~ Margarita Malyukova
Silecky, a New Jersey resident in Verona and also a grandson to one of the actual Ukrainian immigrants, came up with the idea for the documentary while taking a course on Soviet history while he attended school at University of California, Berkeley.
~ Ken Downey, Jr.
Nigrin: Your deeply moving documentary film rings to light the little-known story of Ukrainians, who were torn from their homes, and their nation, when the Nazis invaded the territory of Ukraine and clashed with the Soviet army at the height of World War II. Please tell us more about your film and why you decided to make it?
~Al Nigrin, New Jersey Stage
WCTC AM 1450-AM Fall 2018 New Jersey Film Festival Filmmaker Interview Series Schedule hosted by Bert Baron
Interviews can be heard live on
1450 on the AM dial in Central New Jersey and on the internet here
Interview by Gary Wien of New Jersey Stage with Director, Matej Silecky
Among the many intriguing films being screened at New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2018, one title immediately caught our eye — Baba Babee Skazala: Grandmother Told Grandmother.
The film was selected as one of 22 finalists for the film festival, based on the determination of 15 film judges who screened more than 507 works that were submitted by filmmakers from around the world.
“Local film fans should pay particular attention to "Baba Babee Skazala (Grandmother Told Grandmother)," a documentary by Verona resident and debuting filmmaker Matej Silecky having its world premiere 7 p.m Sunday, Oct. 7 at Voorhees Hall.
The film, produced by Point Pleasant native Julie Parker, combines animation and interviews to tell the story of Ukrainian refugee children who immigrated to the United States during World War II.”
Al Nigrin, Executive Producer and Curator of the NJ Film Festival, speaks with Director Matej Silecky and Producer Julie Parker about their film "Baba Babee Skazala."
““Baba Babee Skazala” [“Grandmother Told Grandmother”], a documentary film by Verona resident, and first-time filmmaker, Matej Silecky, will have its world premiere at the Fall 2018 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, October 7 at 7 p.m.”
~from MyVeronaNJ
“Matej took time out of his busy schedule to tell us how he found appearing on Dancing on Ice, what he does in his spare time and more about his documentary.”
~from TresA Magazine
PC: : Amina Ford
We'll be screening the 1st rough cut of Baba Babee Skazala [Grandmother Told Grandmother] this afternoon, followed by discussion of the film. Each participant will be asked to provide their written comments and suggestions.
We're excited to get your input!
NOTE: This photo is from the exhibition Prints and Paintings by Bohdan Borzemsky: Retrospective, currently on display at The Ukrainian Museum, New York City. We highly recommend a visit to the museum!
Check out our Director's Matej Silecky's interview about Baba Babee Skazala on Michael Buryk's podcast Krynytsya!
"An August 11, 2017 interview with Matej Silecky, director and producer at Kitsune Tale Productions. He is producing a documentary film called, "Baba Babee Skazala" (Grandmother Told Grandmother). It is the story of post-World-War-II Ukrainian emigres to the U.S. who were displaced persons in Europe. www.babababeeskazala.com
Please contact Mike Buryk at michael.buryk@verizon.net for any additional information.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Michael J. Buryk. All Rights Reserved"
After months of transcriptions and logging, we've started the editing process. We are continuing to work with New Doc Editing and Editor, Will Lehman. We are so excited they are part of Baba Babee Skazala!
Traveling to Ukraine for work on animation & music - filmmaking & post-production!
