directed by Lukáš Kokeš, Klára Tasovská, documentary, 71 min, eng subtitles
written by Lukáš Kokeš, Klára Tasovská
Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (a.k.a. Trans-Dniestr). Imagine a place where time has frozen. Life has been stuck in a shape resembling the Soviet era. Somehow, people have got used to the reign of the secret police and the fear of being spied on. Soviet-style propaganda of the authoritative, power-based regime of the president Igor Smirnov turns most of the Trans-Dniestr´s residents into simple workmen without any will to understand how unbearable their situation is. Smirnov has been leading this non-existent country for all of twenty years. The film focuses on a couple of characters stuck in this geo-political backwater, in between the European Union and Russia, in between the present and the past, crime and decency, decadence and hope for change. Framed by a presidential election, the film analyses the organisation of this "non-state" and the rules of a regular life within. Enjoy a trip to a museum of communist totalitarianism!
Awards:
IDFF Jihlava 2012 (Best Czech Documentary)
IDFF Cronograf Chisinau 2013 (Audience Award)
One World Romania 2013 (Main Award)
LUX film prize 2013 (Official Selection)