The Ancient Woods / Sengirė
Lithuania, Germany, Estonia 2017
Directed by Mindaugas Survila, nature documentary, 85 min, no spoken language, 12+
Written by Mindaugas Survila, Gintė Žulytė
Focusing on the inhabitants of an old-growth forest (both animals and humans), The Ancient Woods offers the viewers a remarkable journey into a world where time seems to stop: through dense woods, wolf holes, up to an eagles’ nest, down to the underwater forest, and back to the man's home. Mindaugas Survila, a biologist-turned-filmmaker, is even able to find drama and humour in this sanctuary of nature, a beautifully-crafted portrait of one of the last remaining ancient forests in Europe, almost ten years in the making. Gently erasing the line separating humans and nature, it interweaves them into a single poetic story, using a style and narrative that brings it close to a fantasy tale.
Awards
Lithuanian Film Awards (Best Cinematographer, Best Individual Achievement for the Sound Mixing)