Children of the Moon Land
A group of six Romani children from Jelšava spend their days outside, where they created their own safe space. They play among the dilapidated buildings and in noxious magnesite dust that floats in the air. They build their forts and chase each other. They no longer go swimming to the local lake like they used to. The water is cloudy and a dead bird lies on the shore. They wonder what happened to it. When they dip their hands and feet in the water, rashes appear on their skin. They agree that the water is poisoned. After school, they sneak through abandoned places where adults do not interfere. They meet at an abandoned train station, where they sit on benches and talk about where they would like to go. Everyone agrees that they would like to live somewhere else. The magnesite mines turned their environment into a moonscape and the situation grows more serious by the day. The children’s households plagued by existential problems are holding them back, anchoring them in their hometown. However, Karolína(14), Alex(14), Kevin(13), Aleš(12), Kiara(13) and little Matias(9) refuse to accept a hopeless future. When they are together they feel like they can achieve anything. For them, their imagination and friendship are their refuge, following their dreams is an act of resistance. However, a time is coming that will further test the children’s bond of fellowship.