World Champion Ivan Poddubny from the Village of Krasenivka

Ukrainian Television Film Studio, 1994.

The film tells about the history of the village through the prism of the biography of the famous athlete-wrestler Ivan Maksimovich Poddubny, who was born and lived in the ancient Cossack village of Krasenivka in the Cherkasy region, his fellow countrymen who debunk the myth of the “Russian hero”.

On the video: photo archive, wrestling footage and fragments of films where Ivan Poddubny was filmed; Yeisk Historical and Local Lore Museum, exposition; residents of the village of Krasenivtsi talk about the Poddubny family, about the repressions of the Soviet government, the oblivion of fellow countrymen; competitions, everyday life in the village; fragments of black and white chronicles.

Reference: Ivan Poddubny is an outstanding Ukrainian wrestler, a six-time world champion, who became famous for his fair fight and invincible strength. Despite attempts by Russian propaganda to present him as a “Russian hero,” Poddubny spoke Ukrainian all his life, renounced US citizenship, and always emphasized his Ukrainian origin. He remained faithful to his people, despite persecution by the Soviet authorities and oblivion after his death.