Motherland
Sweden, Ukraine, Norway2023documentary92'Międzynarodowy konkurs dokumentalny (2023)
The practice of hazing in the Belarussian military has a lot in common with political terror. This is why Svetlana does not believe that her son committed suicide in the barracks. When this determined mother travels across the country seeking justice, another young man is putting on a uniform somewhere else. Their parallel lives, intertwined with the son’s letters, make a shocking image of the post-Soviet reality. In suspense, we are waiting for the next act of the drama as the new soldier will have to face his friends during protests against rigged elections.
- directed by
- Alexander Mihalkovich
Alexander Mihalkovich is Belarusian-Ukrainian director and producer. He graduated with a PhD in Library Science and an MA in Film Directing at DocNomads international study program. His focus as a filmmaker is on long-term projects towards which he feels a close personal relationship. He produces documentaries with an experimental and creative background, beautiful cinematography, and a clear director’s vision.
Hanna Badziaka
Hanna Badziaka is a filmmaker with a background in journalism. She graduated with a Master's degree in Philology from the Belarusian State University. She began her career as a video journalist for independent online media and later worked for the only independent TV channel in Belarus. She then participated in creating several documentaries and worked as a director and scriptwriter for TV projects focused on short documentaries. Motherland, which she co-directs, is her feature documentary debut.
- cinematography
- Siarhiej Kanaplianik
- script
- Alexander Mihalkovich, Hanna Badziaka
- music
- Yngve Sætre, Thomas Angell Endresen
- editing
- Katiia Vushnya, Jakub Bastkowski, Jerzy Poniatowski, Hanna Badziaka
- production
- Mario Adamson, Ashley Smith (Sisyfos Film Production), Alexander Mihalkovich (Voka Films), Anita Norfolk (Folk Films)
- Photo
