LIVE FROM THE INDUSTRY@TALLINN & BALTIC EVENT

Every single cell in your body will feel the urge to sway like a flower in the wind when watching this piece. The dreamy world invites you into an intimate and intriguing swirl. Your senses become connected, and universal peace prevails.

Growth takes place both inside the body and in the vast outdoors. Ilanna Barkusky’s creation follows the development cycle of the flower, the day, and the human. From seed to bloom, from day to night, and from childhood to adulthood. The director gently balances dance, music, light and text. A small group of stunning women perform the dance moves. A cardiogram reveals that a child is alive and growing. At first, a woman needs guidance and support. She gradually becomes independent, until she can finally stand on her own.

Parallel to the images, we hear the story. It starts with silence. The first notes gradually gel together. Then come the strong beats. They form the perfect alliance with the exquisite moves.

At dusk, both the light and the music fade. Harsh reality hits like cold waves. The girl is no longer a child. In the background, we also hear the carefully worded tale of a seed that became a jewel. The all-female cast (including a soft and motherly voiceover) help to ensure the empowering femininity of this gingerly crafted piece of filmmaking. Refreshing and fleeting, just like a summer’s breeze

A Flower’s Journey premiered in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 10th, 2024.

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Heli Valgeväli is a student, a writer, an engineer, a musician, and a poet, leader.