Wri/Dir: Tamara Kotevska | Doc 2025
Blending folklore with the contemporary this simple but far-reaching fable carries with it the tragic reality of 21st century life. But there’s always hope.
The legend Silyan, a boy transformed into a stork, has its roots in the village of Cesinovo, northern Macedonia, famous for its white stork colony. In fact one nest was so big it even broke through the roof supporting it.
Tamara Kotevska (Honeyland) takes this myth and broadens it into an enchanting new ethnographical portrait of a landlocked European country caught in a time warp in the peaceful hillsides of the Balkan Peninsula, where modern strife and human intergenerational conflict is contrasted with the close bonds that exist between man and nature bringing positive energy all round.
At 60 local farmer Nikola is caught between the past and the future, and his family have left home. Too young to retire but trapped in the wake of another crop failure due to drought he tries to find work at the local employment agency, but farming is all he has known for past 45 years. Although on his land he still uses a horse-drawn carriage, he can drive all kinds of vehicles from tractors to bulldozers, but his search draws a blank.
The local stork population is also under pressure. In more favourable times the birds survived from the plentiful crops produced on Nikola’s land. But now the lack of food-stock is are forcing the birds to forage amidst rubbish dumps. And their young are suffering too, and are often perishing in the heat and the lack of water.
Taking pity on an injured stork, who has also been abandoned by its family, Nikola turns his hand to its welfare and eventually discovers that, apart from vegtables the bird enjoys frogs, and even sausages. A broken wing is gradually repaired and, after the two become inseparable Nikola and his farming colleague turn their talents to rebuilding a nest where the stork can enjoy a new home. This simple act of kindness brings positive energy to the longtime farmer, and with it comes a happy ending – just like in the tale of Silyan who eventually came home to roost. @MeredithTaylor
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