Ukrainian writer, poet, and frontman of the band 'Zhadan i Sobaky' Sergiy Zhadan has joined the voice cast of the new Ukrainian animated film 'Nasha Fayta'. The artist got the role of Richard the cat — the stern and self-confident father of Mika the cat, a character voiced by Oleksiy Ihnatovsky. This was reported by WAVE citing the project's Instagram. Thus, for the first time in his career, Zhadan has acted as a voice actor in a full-length animation production, thereby expanding his creative profile beyond literature and music.
A voice with character: why Zhadan was chosen
According to the project's creative producer, the choice fell on Sergiy Zhadan due to the specifics of his timbre. 'Authority must be felt in the voice, and that is exactly what I heard in the low, slightly hoarse timbre of Sergiy Zhadan. At the same time, Sergiy speaks naturally, without unnecessary theatricality, and knows how, after an almost monotonous delivery, to highlight the right word with a single punch or pause,' the producer explained. It was the combination of the low register, naturalness, and the ability to accentuate with a pause that made Zhadan's voice, in the team's estimation, ideal for the image of a stern father figure.
About the project and its creators
'{Nasha Fayta}' is an upcoming Ukrainian full-length animated film jointly produced by the Animagrad and Nasha Fayta studios. The film is directed by Kostiantyn Fedorov, with Antonio Lukich, known for the films 'Luxembourg, Luxembourg' and 'My Thoughts Are Silent', serving as the creative producer. The picture is based on the Transcarpathian YouTube series of the same name, which ran from 2013 to 2016, determining its visual and narrative foundation.
Plot: a second chance leading to the frontline
At the center of the story is 33-year-old gas station attendant Serhiy Punko, who accidentally dies, but receives a second chance at life in heaven. The condition for his return is to find his father on the frontline, a man the hero never knew. This journey brings him to the front line, where he meets characters who are real prototypes from the military. Accompanying the hero on this path is the angel of death, Mika the cat — a character whose personality is the complete opposite of the protagonist.
Voice cast and release schedule
The main character is voiced by Oleksandr Rudynsky. The voice cast also includes singer Fiinka and stand-up comedian Lera Mandzyuk. Thus, the project brings together representatives of literature, music, theater, and stand-up comedy. The theatrical release of the film is scheduled for 2027, making 'Nasha Fayta' one of the notable upcoming Ukrainian animation releases.
