The Taste of Freedom: When Olha Franko Haunts the Screen

Directed by Oleksandr Berezan, The Taste of Freedom follows Varya, a young cook who loses her job because no one wants her haute cuisine at a roadside café. She runs as far from home as possible in search of recognition — until an unexpected discovery changes everything: a book by the forgotten legend of Ukrainian cuisine, Olha Franko, which inspires her to go local instead of trendy.

As Varya works her way through the book's recipes, the ghost of Olga Franko appears and encourages her to uncover the culinary secrets of her heritage. But Olga warns Varya that once she masters the recipes, she will have to choose between the life she always wanted and the culinary roots she once wanted to leave behind.

The film takes on a particular resonance for this project. Olha Franko is portrayed as a female chef and activist, forbidden during Soviet times — a figure whose erasure mirrors the broader suppression of Ukrainian cultural identity, and whose rediscovery feels anything but fictional.

Set in Lviv, the film is a warm and visually rich celebration of Ukrainian cuisine, shot with obvious care for food and place. The vibrant cinematography and the mouth-watering food sequences showcase the rich flavors and traditions of Ukrainian culinary heritage.