Crafting the Most Universal Story with the Most Unique Materials — Masha Ellsworth Talks Bound in Cine21 Interview
Korean film and culture outlet Cine21 recently sat down with Masha Ellsworth, director of the animated short Bound, to explore the deep cultural and emotional roots of the film. In the feature, Ellsworth reflects on her creative mission: telling a story that feels emotionally universal, using materials that are culturally unique.
“I wanted to take a moment that feels deeply human—missing the right time, misunderstanding someone we care about—and tell it through the lens of my heritage,” Ellsworth shares.
Bound is inspired by the traditional Ukrainian folk song “Galya Carries Water,” a haunting and beloved tune that hints at heartbreak and longing. In Ellsworth’s adaptation, that emotional ambiguity becomes the centerpiece: a quiet moment between two villagers—Galya and Ivanko—unravels into a story of missed connection, captured entirely without dialogue.
In the interview, Ellsworth also speaks about her commitment to representing Ukrainian culture through visual storytelling—from embroidery-inspired design to a soundtrack featuring traditional instruments like the bandura and sopilka.
“The materials are specific—cross-stitch, folk music—but the emotion is something everyone can understand. That’s the magic of animation,” she explains.
Currently screening at international festivals including BIAF 2024, Bound continues to resonate with audiences worldwide as a story about vulnerability, identity, and the threads that bind us—both literally and figuratively.
