Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World

The minute I heard there was going to be a documentary made about the incredible East Village haunt, Veselka, I knew I had to watch. Am I glad I did!

I walked away from this movie completely moved. A powerful story of community, the impact small businesses play in the fabric of world events (in this case, the war in Ukraine), and family.

The empathy, great sense of community care, vulnerability, and joy of the people featured in the documentary is palpable. You can feel their impact and intentions emanate from the screen.

I encourage all to watch Veselka and to find the people doing this important work in their own communities. This is how we change the world.

"Go see it!" is all I can say about Veselka! It is full of beautiful, heartwarming, moving, timely and raw human stories. With music by David Sanborn, narration by David Duchovny, the stories bring you into the film. Directed, produced, written and edited by the talented and creative Michael Fiore, the movie is a reminder of real life and the struggles that people face with war, even thousands of miles away. But Veselka also reminds me that food and eateries, especially internationally focused ones, allow people to gather to do more than just eat. Even more, the movie shows that there are good humans in the world making a difference for the better. The world needs to see these impactful stories.

I believe that all Americans should know the story of Veselka, especially American men who feel lost.

The men of the Veselka family are immigrants and American born who know the existential terror of tyranny or are terrorized for the people of Ukraine. They are bonded to protect their families and freedom by their courage, compassion, love and hard work. I believe that this beautiful film also speaks to American men in search of their own meaning and power within.

A victory for Ukraine will be a victory for America.

Thank you for bringing the lives of the gentle and strong Veselka family to us.

Cathy Zadoretzky.

We need VESELKA more than ever. Both this documentary and the restaurant. This is the 70 year story of NYC's misted noted Ukrainian restaurant.

This is an extremely heartwarming documentary. It strikes all the right chords. I felt educated AND entertained by it. I laughed and shed some tears.

You don't just watch this documentary - you FEEL it.

And I was very hungry by the end. While the food isn't the focus of the story (the people at the restaurant are) I really want some pierogis right now.

I think I was most struck by how personal the movie is. It's not political at all. Though the appearance by embattled NYC Mayor Eric Adams cements how much of an idiot he is.

I fell in love with the story, the subjects, the food, and everything in between.

I streamed it on Prime. I am going to buy it on Apple TV now. This is one to own.

Michael is one of the most talented directors in NYC.

He puts so much passion and determination into it.

All of his art is important and elevated.

I have been living in New York City for approximately 18 years. On the east side of Manhattan. And I've been to Veselka more than a handful of times. And I never really understood the significance of the restaurant until now over the last couple years. I'm so happy they opened a new location in Greenpoint. I think that Space will do very well there.

Overall. Michael is a true champion. I look forward to watching more from him as we move into this documentary- independent movement.