National Myths and Symbols in Modern Ukrainian Cinema

The purpose of the article is to summarise the main contexts and connotations of the use of myths, symbols and images in contemporary audiovisual products; to systematise the references to elements of the Ukrainian cultural code in the current national cultural and artistic environment; to analyse the correspondence between the interpretations of the symbols used in the video sequences of music videos and films and their original meanings. The research methodology is based on the use of the following methods: theoretical (acquaintance with the scientific and journalistic base of research on the use of images of Ukrainian folklore in contemporary art), empirical (collection of materials to determine the main categories of borrowing images in contemporary art) and analytical (determination of the feasibility and veracity of the interpretation of the primary meaning of the folklore image in the modern context). Scientific novelty. For the first time, the author describes the likely consequences of the indifferent attitude of the creators of the national audiovisual product to the primary meaning of the symbols of the traditional cultural stratum; and outlines the consequences of previous political attempts to destroy the specifically Ukrainian cultural code; identifies potential threats in the event of inaction and lack of progress in the field of audiovisual production (films, clips) for the development of future generations of conscious Ukrainians as citizens of an independent country with a clear understanding of belonging to a certain historical background. Conclusions. Quantitative and qualitative indicators allow us to confidently speak about the harmfulness of the paradigm of levelling the primary meanings of established images. The article summarises the main contexts and connotations of myths (from the positive in contemporary audiovisual art to the simplistic and negative in films of the 2010s). Having summarised the spheres of use and borrowing of vivid images in contemporary cinema, the author analyses the correspondence of modern interpretations of the symbols of Ukrainian mythology to their original meaning.