Panihida

The inhabitants of a small Moldavian village prepare a deceased woman for her last journey. Both the young and the old generation share the grief from losing a mother, grandmother, a friend and a long time neighbour. The picture captures rituals associated with death, focusing on the mourning period and last farewell of the relatives of the deceased. Long shots of the flat, never-ending Moldavian landscape are combined with contemplations of the mourners about death and soul. The final journey to the sacred mountain is, however, rather a celebration of life. Despite the grim topic, the film gradually transforms grief into a pure joy of life. (Febiofest)