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I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming

Play trailer Poster for I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming 2026 1h 40m Drama Romance LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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The love of Olya and Oleh, a young queer Ukrainian couple, is put to the test when one partner's gender transition collides with Russia's full-scale invasion. As war narrows and challenges the boundaries of masculinity and femininity, they struggle to preserve their bond and sense of self. What does it mean to be a man in a country that is fighting for its identity and survival?

Critics Reviews

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Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com Aug 21
With its startling humanism and boundless empathy, "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming" should shake viewers from their slumber to see how war touches every corner and every person. Go to Full Review Leslie Felperin The Hollywood Reporter Aug 17
The film succeeds not only as an examination of the extraordinary quandary facing the couple but also simply as a compelling wartime drama featuring excellent performances from the two leads, who are, like most of the cast, non-professional actors. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Aug 11
5/5
It’s a terrifically well-shot, well-acted, uniquely challenging movie about a belief system in crisis. Go to Full Review Michael Sicinski In Review Online 5d
Isabelle Stever’s I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming is another exemplary intersectional film text. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Isabelle Stever

Director

Tania Myronyshena

Actor

Markus Bright

Actor

Irina Mak

Actor

Viktor Zhdanov

Actor

Maiia Sobolevska

Actor
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I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming

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Movie Info

Synopsis The love of Olya and Oleh, a young queer Ukrainian couple, is put to the test when one partner's gender transition collides with Russia's full-scale invasion. As war narrows and challenges the boundaries of masculinity and femininity, they struggle to preserve their bond and sense of self. What does it mean to be a man in a country that is fighting for its identity and survival?
Director
Isabelle Stever
Producer
Uwe Schott, Tom Tykwer
Screenwriter
Anna Melikova
Production Co
X-Filme Creative Pool
Genre
Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Ukrainian
Runtime
1h 40m
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