A farmer’s special bond with a wounded white stork intertwines with Macedonian folklore.
A story drawn from 17th century Macedonian folklore is deftly woven through this intimate portrait of a farmer, whose traditional way of life is threatened by economic pressures in modern Macedonia. Nikola’s life may be hard, his work may be back-breaking, but he is a gleeful, avuncular figure and he and his wife Jana scythe the fields together, their movements perfectly synchronised. When Nikola’s daughter and her husband relocate to Germany, Jana goes with them to provide childcare, leaving Nikola behind. He develops an almost spiritual relationship with a gangly damaged stork that he rescues which, in turn, reaffirms his bond with the land. This beautiful, gentle film explores themes of symbiosis with the natural world, disrupted balances and migration.
North Macedonia/USA/UK 2025 Tamara Kotevska 81m
Brent Cross Wildlife Hospital will introduce this film with a short talk on its important work and the role of its volunteers.
