This year’s, 21st edition of Minsk International Film Festival „Listapad” ended last Saturday, November 14th. One of the films awarded at the festival is “Deep love”, a feature-length documentary by Jan P. Matuszyński. The film, screened in the International Documentary Films Competition, was awarded with a Diploma «For a profound portrayal of humanity». Eleven films were screened in the documentary competition this year. The documentary jury was composed of: Ludmila Saenkova (Belarus), Kersti Uibo (Estonia), Zviad Dolidze (Georgia), Sergey Golovetsky (Russia) and Goran Radovanovich (Serbia).
The main character of the film is Janusz, a self-confident 60-year old, an incredibly active person and an accomplished diver. He suffers a stroke which leaves him paralysed. Rehabilitation and assistance of his partner Asia help him regain mobility and improve his functions. He is still struggling with speech and the only person who understands what he says is Asia who interprets him for the world. What keeps Janusz going and motivates to carry on is his big dream – he would like to dive again, despite major hazard for his health and life. His goal is to travel to beautiful but perilous Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt which poses a challenge even to fit divers.
A full list of documentary films awarded in Minsk and more detailed information about the festival can be found at its website.