About the film
In 1971 the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art was founded in Chicago by a doctor, two artists, and a misfit group of volunteers. This is their story.
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art presents The First Lions - a feature documentary by On The Real Film.
The First Lions uncovers the history of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art’s founding in 1971 in Chicago and the Institute's early years. Exploring the stories of Ukrainian-American artists working in modern and contemporary art methods in post-WWII Chicago, The First Lions follows the handful of founding members still living and utilizes archival photographs, films and documents. The film serves as a time capsule for the oral histories of the aging founders, as well as a catalyst for new conversations and research of Ukrainian-American art in Chicago.
The First Lions is co-directed by Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan of On The Real Film.
This film is produced in conjunction with LIONS: Founding Years of UIMA in Chicago - a featured exhibition of Art Design Chicago, co-curated by Stanislav Grezdo and Robin Dluzen at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago. In this exhibition artworks by the Institute’s Ukrainian emigre founders are supplemented with selections from UIMA’s extensive collection of ephemera, including vintage posters, archival photographs, video interviews with founding members, and early notes, sketches, and letters. These items from the Institute’s archive have never before been publicly displayed. LIONS aims to showcase the unique spirit of UIMA’s founders, which continues to contribute to the character of the Ukrainian Village neighborhood and Chicago’s art history at large. Alongside the innovations, the excitement, and the artistic endeavors, LIONS also addresses the trials that accompany being a visible immigrant community in the United States. The items in the archive are over 45 years old, but the discussions of immigrant identity and heritage are just as resonant today.
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art presents The First Lions - a feature documentary by On The Real Film.
The First Lions uncovers the history of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art’s founding in 1971 in Chicago and the Institute's early years. Exploring the stories of Ukrainian-American artists working in modern and contemporary art methods in post-WWII Chicago, The First Lions follows the handful of founding members still living and utilizes archival photographs, films and documents. The film serves as a time capsule for the oral histories of the aging founders, as well as a catalyst for new conversations and research of Ukrainian-American art in Chicago.
The First Lions is co-directed by Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan of On The Real Film.
This film is produced in conjunction with LIONS: Founding Years of UIMA in Chicago - a featured exhibition of Art Design Chicago, co-curated by Stanislav Grezdo and Robin Dluzen at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago. In this exhibition artworks by the Institute’s Ukrainian emigre founders are supplemented with selections from UIMA’s extensive collection of ephemera, including vintage posters, archival photographs, video interviews with founding members, and early notes, sketches, and letters. These items from the Institute’s archive have never before been publicly displayed. LIONS aims to showcase the unique spirit of UIMA’s founders, which continues to contribute to the character of the Ukrainian Village neighborhood and Chicago’s art history at large. Alongside the innovations, the excitement, and the artistic endeavors, LIONS also addresses the trials that accompany being a visible immigrant community in the United States. The items in the archive are over 45 years old, but the discussions of immigrant identity and heritage are just as resonant today.
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The First Lions film is part of Art Design Chicago, an exploration of Chicago’s art and design legacy,
an initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art with presenting partner The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
The First Lions film is funded in part by the Terra Foundation for American Art and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
The First Lions film is funded in part by The Chicago Community Trust.
an initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art with presenting partner The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
The First Lions film is funded in part by the Terra Foundation for American Art and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
The First Lions film is funded in part by The Chicago Community Trust.
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Screenings
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Sign up for our mailing list to hear about future screenings of The First Lions.
Sign up for our mailing list to hear about future screenings of The First Lions.
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PAST SCREENINGS
4/30/2020 - The First Lions Online Premiere / Co-hosted by On The Real Film + UIMA
11/1/2019 - Avant Edge Film Festival / Winner - Best Feature-length Film / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
9/15/2018 - Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
8/11/2018 - Chopin Theatre / World Premiere / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
4/30/2020 - The First Lions Online Premiere / Co-hosted by On The Real Film + UIMA
11/1/2019 - Avant Edge Film Festival / Winner - Best Feature-length Film / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
9/15/2018 - Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
8/11/2018 - Chopin Theatre / World Premiere / The First Lions : Founding the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
The First Lions premiered on August 11, 2018, at the Chopin Theatre in Chicago.
Post screening Q&A panel, from left: Co-Creator Robin Dluzen, Co-Director Erin Babbin, Co-Director Michael Sullivan,
Co-Creator Stano Grezdo, star of the film Oleh Kowerko, and UIMA Curator Adrienne Kochman.
Co-Creator Stano Grezdo, star of the film Oleh Kowerko, and UIMA Curator Adrienne Kochman.
Event photos by Antony Anderson
Press
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Newcity Art picks The First Lions for their September Art Top 5, August 29, 2018. Read it here.
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The First Lions Co-Director Erin Babbin on WBEZ's Newscast during Weekend Edition, August 11, 2018. Listen here.
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WTTW's Chicago Tonight covers UIMA Lions exhibit and The First Lions film, August 7, 2018. Watch here.
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MartinJon Garcia reviews Lions, the UIMA exhibit produced in conjunction with The First Lions film, August 6, 2018. Read it here.
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Block Club Chicago chose Lions, the UIMA exhibit produced in conjunction with The First Lions film, as a weekend art destination, August 3, 2018. Read it here.
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Newcity Art profile on The First Lions Co-Creator Robin Dluzen, August 2, 2018. Read it here.
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Sixty Inches From Center chose The First Lions film for their August Art Picks, August 2, 2018. Read it here.
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BadAtSports Top V Weekend Picks features Lions, the UIMA exhibit produced in conjunction with The First Lions film, August 2, 2018. Read it here.
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Chicago Tribune lists Lions, the UIMA exhibit produced in conjunction with The First Lions film, as a top entertainment pick, August 1, 2018. Read it here.
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Chicago Magazine picks Lions exhibit and The First Lions film for their 50 things to do in Chicago, July 31, 2018. Read it here.
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Contact
@thefirstlionsfilm / @firstlionsfilm
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Send us a note for press and screening information.
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Visit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago
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