I had a Dream about an Elephant
On the periphery of Europe, where the state remains a mere abstraction, a vacuum emerged. Within this void, Mikuláš Vareha was born – a man who understood that in times of social chaos, people do not long for freedom, but for certainty, however illusory. Vareha built an empire on multimillion-euro fraud and became the "King of Zemplín," worshipped by those forgotten by the world. The film captures him after 11 years in prison, like the hero of Ionesco’s absurd drama Exit the King. Despite a schizophrenic reality, ego refuses to surrender. He decides on a restart: planning to build a new kingdom amidst mud and rust.
Into this world enters Erik. Vareha was his childhood superhero, but only after returning from the "big world" of European metropolises, marked by anonymity and uncertainty, did he take a radical step. Erik leaves the West and moves to his idol’s estate as an apprentice. Much like Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, Vareha seeks to bring a symbol of grandeur to the impoverished region to prove he is still alive. Amidst preparations for this bizarre triumph, an unexpected twist occurs: Vareha dies suddenly while feeding chickens. The ship is sinking, the captain is dead, and Erik is left alone. In absolute silence, he watches the dream turn to dust. The film is a study of populism and the crisis of masculinity, showing how autocrats are born and why lost young men follow them.
Into this world enters Erik. Vareha was his childhood superhero, but only after returning from the "big world" of European metropolises, marked by anonymity and uncertainty, did he take a radical step. Erik leaves the West and moves to his idol’s estate as an apprentice. Much like Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, Vareha seeks to bring a symbol of grandeur to the impoverished region to prove he is still alive. Amidst preparations for this bizarre triumph, an unexpected twist occurs: Vareha dies suddenly while feeding chickens. The ship is sinking, the captain is dead, and Erik is left alone. In absolute silence, he watches the dream turn to dust. The film is a study of populism and the crisis of masculinity, showing how autocrats are born and why lost young men follow them.
World Divided
In some places, division is not just a line on a map—it’s a scar that cuts through streets, rivers, and families. World Divided invites viewers into these cities and regions caught between history and hope. Travelling from the once-barricaded streets of Belfast to the ancient walls of Nicosia, through the fractured heart of Mostar, the silent currents of the Kurils, into the windswept deserts of Western Sahara, and to the unsettled lands of South Africa.
Each location is a mosaic of lives lived on the fault lines of conflict. Here, divisions have become part of the landscape, yet people continue to build, dream, and love within the shadow of invisible walls. We will hear stories of resilience and humanity, of those who confront these boundaries each day, not just as obstacles, but as a call to question, hope, and transform.
Through the six intimate stories, we will reveal what it means to live in a world split by history, belief, and power struggles. We will meet those who confront division every day, those who dream of unity, and those who resist change. Each episode will be a journey to understand how division shapes culture, resilience, and identity, and what it takes to imagine a future beyond the walls. With cinematic depth and a lens that captures the heart behind the headlines, World Divided will offer not just an exploration of conflict, but an invitation to see the humanity that transcends borders. For in every city and region where walls divide, there are bridges yet to be built.
Each location is a mosaic of lives lived on the fault lines of conflict. Here, divisions have become part of the landscape, yet people continue to build, dream, and love within the shadow of invisible walls. We will hear stories of resilience and humanity, of those who confront these boundaries each day, not just as obstacles, but as a call to question, hope, and transform.
Through the six intimate stories, we will reveal what it means to live in a world split by history, belief, and power struggles. We will meet those who confront division every day, those who dream of unity, and those who resist change. Each episode will be a journey to understand how division shapes culture, resilience, and identity, and what it takes to imagine a future beyond the walls. With cinematic depth and a lens that captures the heart behind the headlines, World Divided will offer not just an exploration of conflict, but an invitation to see the humanity that transcends borders. For in every city and region where walls divide, there are bridges yet to be built.