Matchmaking at Honcharivka

Matchmaking at Honcharivka (1958) is a Ukrainian musical comedy by Igor Zemgano, and you can watch online on iFILM. It grows out of Hryhoriy Kvitka-Osnovyanenko's 1835 stage play, set to the warm, lyrical score of operetta composer Kyrylo Stetsenko — so expect as much singing and dancing as plot.

Pretty, good-natured Ulyana is in no hurry to wed. She can't stand the rich, dim-witted Stetsko her practical mother favours; her heart belongs to Alex, a poor serf with nothing to offer but himself. The unwanted match is nearly sealed when a worldly soldier named Skoryk steps in — sly, quick-tongued and wise to people — and turns the whole arrangement upside down to give Ulyana the ending she wants. A light, tuneful village romp for anyone who loves old Ukrainian cinema, embroidered shirts, broad humour and a good folk chorus. Stream Matchmaking at Honcharivka (1958) online on iFILM.