Folk Music in Works of Contemporary Ukrainian Audiovisual Art (Dovbush, Mavka, Povodyr): Musical and Critical Essay

The purpose of the research is to determine the role, place, and functions of folk music in contemporary Ukrainian audiovisual products, namely in the development of the film's sound drama; to analyze the peculiarities of using folk music in Ukrainian cinema on the example of the films Dovbush (2023), Povodyr (The Guide) (2014), and the animated film Mavka (2023). The research methodology is based on an audiovisual analysis of these film examples, which makes it possible to formulate the basic principles of folk music functioning in contemporary Ukrainian cinema. The scientific novelty of the research is primarily reflected in the study's topic, namely, the folk music tradition (vocal, instrumental, solo, group) and its role in film works. For the first time, the place and functions of folklore pieces in contemporary Ukrainian films and the influence of traditional musical material on a film's dramatic and sound solution are analyzed. Conclusions. A folk music piece can serve as a leitmotif of the entire film, a sound and visual counterpoint, as well as a kind of commentary (sound and noise supplement) to the film. Musical pieces of folklore tradition can add the necessary emotional and psychological colour to the film's plot, connect the film's scenes into a single whole, move the dramatic action forward, develop the storyline, and enhance the drama of the events. Folk music in a film contributes to the development of its plot, emphasising and accentuating the feelings, experiences, and behaviour of the characters. The use of folk vocal and instrumental music in contemporary Ukrainian films plays not only the role of accompanying the storyline of the film but also acquires extraordinary meanings in terms of emotional impact on the viewer and affirmation of Ukrainian self-identification.