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.

Awards
  • 2023 Documentary competition
    Audience AwardSpecial Award
directed by
Alexander Mihalkovich, portret reżysera
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, portret reżysera
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
Kadr z filmu Motherland