Pryvoz Market is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Europe. It is situated in Odesa, Ukraine, and there’s a saying that everyone who goes there finds something. The film has the same title and highlights this market's culture, happiness, and the togetherness of the people in it. ‘Pryvoz’ is the Ukrainian word for ‘import.’ You can find people from different walks of life operating here, from fish sellers to loaders, security guards to traders. They discuss the market's past, present, and future.
One can’t help but notice the mid-shots with a hit of color to show the beauty of the market and the people in it. Sasa Oreskovic is the cinematographer, and with the help of Pavlo Zalesov, the functionality of the market is visualized. The dialogues, lighting, set design, costume, hair, and makeup are the instruments used to make this documentary alive.
Pryvoz shows a market where people don’t just go to buy and sell but also where people have conversations about everyday things in life. With the use of actors, the film can address the emotions and experiences people go through every day. The flea market gives all those characters a chance to be themselves.
The body language and voices of the cast sound so natural and real but are not the only noticeable characteristics of the storyline; there are also life lessons. In her documentary, Pryvoz, Neymann talks about costly careless pleasures and seeking self-improvement to improve lives. The 72 minutes of this film show the picture of the world, hope, and the desire to conquer personal problems.
Through the documentary, the audience can see that happiness can be achieved by being self-reliant and optimistic, and it’s not directly proportional to a life of luxury and money. Pryvoz is satisfying to watch, especially if you are the type of person that interprets a film as the director intended. It captures the emotional struggles of the vendors and customers, which is pretty much the same in the outside world. Pryvoz is the documentary to watch if you want to see the reflection of society, all in one market.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Library programming about the European economy could use Pryvoz as one of the reference materials, especially when addressing the inflation caused by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
Pryvoz would fit in a film collection about markets. Most households around the world buy their goods from markets, therefore a vital institution for every society.
Can this film be used in a library education program?
Pryvoz will come in handy as educational material dealing with trade and the different world markets.