By Natalya Krasnenkova

Many attending a movie premiere - detailing the struggle of the Ukrainian people - became visibly emotional on Wednesday evening.

EMOTIONAL: Julia Spillane Natalya Krasnenkova Sergiy Balan Victoria Volynetc organisers pictured at the Great Southern Killarney for the screening of 'Life to the Limit'. Photo: Oleksandr Valenyuk

GUESTS: Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher and other guests in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday evening for the screening of 'Life to the Limit'. Photos: Oleksandr Valenyuk

FRIENDS: Anka Mayorek Natalya Krasnenkova Aleksandra Ostrykiewicz. pictured at the Great Southern Killarney for the screening of 'Life to the Limit'. Photo: Oleksandr Valenyuk

A mixture of the Ukrainian and Irish audience on Wednesday evening in the Great Southern Killarney for the screening of 'Life to the Limit'. Photos: Oleksandr Valenyuk

As the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approached guests packed into the Great Southern Killarney cinema hall for the screening of 'Life to the Limit'.

Ukrainian and Irish audiences became the first viewers of the film, a documentary which tells about the struggle the Ukrainian people experienced in a fight for independence from Russia from 2013 until today.

"We are very grateful to Ireland and the Irish people for their persistent support of Ukrainians. We greatly appreciate the desire of our Irish friends to learn more about our country and our modern painful history. We are glad to see in the hall the mayor, KASI team, teachers, local leaders who are very involved in providing support to Ukrainians," organisers, local representatives of AURI C.L.G (Association Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland), said.

People couldn't hold back tears while watching the movie. Many said after the screening that they saw their hometowns and homes on the screen. Ukrainians discussed the film until the end of the screening.

"For us, the showing of the tape is an opportunity to get together, to remember why we are here and how much we long for victory and to return home," said one of the viewers.

The authors of the film are Ukrainian veterans, director Pavlo Peleshok and producer Yurko Ivanyshyn. Their previous film 'Winter on Fire' was nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for Best Documentary Feature. Film distribution of 'Life to the Limit' will begin in Ukraine on March 16.

The film screening takes place within the framework of the international initiative of the World Congress of Ukrainians and AURI C.L.G (Association Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland).

"Many thanks to the Great Southern Killarney for their continued support of Ukrainian cultural initiatives."