MY PLACE OZERNA

MOJA OZERNA

For lonely Karina, the journey from London to Ozerna, a small village in Ukraine, unexpectedly becomes the beginning of her way to regain her life force. In Ozerna she meets for the first time her 84-year-old aunt Slava who misses her husband who passed away many years ago. With the gift of years ahead of her, Karina cannot find her place in life. Living in London, her sense of alienation  stokes a lingering depression. Both women have lost their will to live but a mutual bond of love restores meaning in their lives.

Their relationship becomes a discovery of the beauty reflected in each other. Slava is initially reserved with Karina, but over time, with subsequent visits over many years, Karina becomes like her granddaughter. Living in harmony with the rhythm of nature, Slava introduces Karina to her world. Ozerna becomes the place where she belongs. She finds herself and learns what is most valuable: close relationships, warmth and tenderness; traits that are challenging to find in a modern metropolis. Their friendship which surpasses generations and nations is being born between them in the Ukrainian village.The tender process of forging human connection is shown in this intimate film which was shot by Karina, film director and protagonist, over the last six years.

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Country: Polska
  • Running time: 58
  • Year: 2022
  • Color: colour

Director: Karina Będkowska

Script: Karina Będkowska

DOP: Karina Będkowska

Music: Michał Jacaszek

Editing: Rafał Małecki

Sound: Franciszek Kozłowski, Daniel Adamczyk

Production company: Braidmade Films

Trailer

About the director:

Karina Będkowska

Karina Będkowska

She graduated with honours in Documentary Filmmaking from Goldsmith University in London and Photography from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań. She participated in the international film workshops Film Spring Open in Krakow and INTERDOC in Serbia as well as the Doc Development and DOC LAB Poland . Her film Tutka was screened at the international festivals Benicia FF in California and Short to the Point in Romania in 2017. She has had photographic exhibitions in England, Denmark and Poland.

At festivals:

62nd Krakow Film Festival, Poland, 2022 (competition)

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2023, Canada, 2023 (competition)

Available Light Film Festival 2024, Canada, 2024 (competition)

Junction North Documentary Film Festival in Ontario, Canada, 2024 (competition)

9th Beyond Borders Documentary Film Festival in Kasterollizo, Greece, 2024 (competition)