Safe Light
2025, 11”

“Safe Light” is a short documentary by Greg Bushell, exploring how the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has affected the practice of photographer Vic Bákin.

A “safelight” is a light source used in a photographic darkroom, illuminating parts of the visible spectrum that the photographic material is nearly or completely insensitive to. But what if the “safe” in safelight carries a meaning beyond its technical definition?

“In the darkness and the safety light’s red glow, Bákin found a whole new world, womb-like in its reassurance and comfort.” The project is shot on 16mm and Super-8 film to mirror the tactile and uncanny imperfections of Bákin’s “Epitome” photo series.

NTS: SAFE LIGHT w/ GREG BUSHELL & OLEKSANDR RUDOVSKYI

BRITISH CINEMATOGRAPHER: “GREG BUSHELL ON SHOOTING DOCUMENTARY SHORT SAFE LIGHT”

Director: Greg Bushell
Sound Designer: Mae-li Evans
Colourist: Evo Boeck
Lab: On8mil

Music:
Bryozone: “Smoothy Flow”
Cukor Bila Smerť: “The Great Hen-Yuan’ River”
Cukor Bila Smerť: “Summer Will Not Come”
Yuri Lugovskoy: “Track 2”
Polje: “Yasne Mi”
É. Motherway: “Melancholy of Departure”

Publicity Contact:
Olivia Hetherington | oliviah@themultipleagency.com

Safe Light Film Screening and Ukraine Fundraiser: