The Impossible Voyage
General Milan Rastislav Štefánik died at the age of 38. In his life, he had managed to travel all over the world. He had climbed Mont Blanc six times. He had built several observatories all over the world; he had organized the first Czechoslovak army, which he led. He had met many significant people of his time - scientists, artists, and politicians. The story of his life is often hard to believe as it reminds an adventure book. It seems unreal that a man from a poor family and with weak health could have achieved what he did. Despite his successes in the field of science and diplomacy, many of his contemporaries considered his main goal - independent Czechoslovakia - to be an utopia. He eventually succeeded in achieving this but he did not live to enjoy the laurels and glory. He died in a tragic plane accident close to Bratislava on May 4, 1919.
Unlike "classical chronological" documentary, which would inform the audience about Štefánik's life, list all his achievements, and build "an audiovisual monument", THE IMPOSSIBLE VOYAGE (and its “Méliésque” name should show this) aims to explore Štefánik's personality - many of his friends and acquaintances said that he was a "mysterious man". They had to admit that they only had known very little about him. He enjoyed talking about his experience and adventures, he entertained people by his travel stories, showed them his photographs, or souvenirs from his travels. However, he was only showing them the "surface" of things.
The "impossible" in the film title does not refer only to his great goals that he had achieved or the places he had visited. The "impossible" also refers to Štefánik himself - his nature, his philosophy, his life credo, his vision - utopia, which he had been trying to achieve, and which drove him further.
Unlike "classical chronological" documentary, which would inform the audience about Štefánik's life, list all his achievements, and build "an audiovisual monument", THE IMPOSSIBLE VOYAGE (and its “Méliésque” name should show this) aims to explore Štefánik's personality - many of his friends and acquaintances said that he was a "mysterious man". They had to admit that they only had known very little about him. He enjoyed talking about his experience and adventures, he entertained people by his travel stories, showed them his photographs, or souvenirs from his travels. However, he was only showing them the "surface" of things.
The "impossible" in the film title does not refer only to his great goals that he had achieved or the places he had visited. The "impossible" also refers to Štefánik himself - his nature, his philosophy, his life credo, his vision - utopia, which he had been trying to achieve, and which drove him further.
Animals of the East
A poetic documentary set in a sanctuary for abused and handicapped “farm” animals in rural eastern Slovakia. The film follows life in the sanctuary during the cycle of the four seasons through the story of Blanka, a young mother who is the founder of the sanctuary, as well as the volunteers Emma and Kubo, young teenagers who find friendship and more in their shared love for animals. We also meet the rescued animals like Timmy, a friendly 3-legged sheep, and Masha, a blind cow who has a crush on Casper, a senior horse.
Furthermore, the film documents the economic and social challenges faced by the founder, as she fundraises money to keep the sanctuary open and deals with inconsiderate regulations concerning animals. Fortunately, the inhabitants of the sanctuary have each other and create a sanctuary not only for animals but also for people.
At the heart of the film are the themes of environmental consciousness, society’s lack of compassion and resistance through the act of caring for “farm” animals.
Furthermore, the film documents the economic and social challenges faced by the founder, as she fundraises money to keep the sanctuary open and deals with inconsiderate regulations concerning animals. Fortunately, the inhabitants of the sanctuary have each other and create a sanctuary not only for animals but also for people.
At the heart of the film are the themes of environmental consciousness, society’s lack of compassion and resistance through the act of caring for “farm” animals.