King of the Hill
Belarusian video blogger and young farmer Syamyon, a deeply religious Orthodox Christian, always liked getting philosophical on life, admire Mother Nature and share it with the world. For the last 5 years he and his wife have been living in the village, where they raise two little sons and breed sheep. It seemed nothing could interfere with this joyful harmonious existence in the wilderness. Nevertheless, local residents, administration and the head of the collective farm do not approve of the independent lifestyle of the young family and their open neglect of common rules on life in the village and animal husbandry.
Letters
“Letters” is a hybrid documentary following five individuals from Belarus whose lives were shattered by state violence and political repression. Through personal letters written from prison, exile, and underground life, the film tells stories of protest, captivity, escape, and moral resistance underscored by the haunting question of how much must be sacrificed in the pursuit of a nation’s liberation. Combining observation, found footage, archival material, and animation using drawings created in confinement, “Letters” gives voice to those the regime tried to silence. These are voices that speak not only of pain, but of dignity, solidarity, love, and the fight to remain human.