International premiere

Dark Heart of the Forest

Local title
Metsa tume süda
Title in Russian
Тёмное сердце леса
Original title
Le coeur noir des forêts
Director
Serge Mirzabekiantz
Country
Belgium, France
Year
2021
Programme
First Feature Competition
Genre
drama, condition-film
Subject
motherhood, child in a grown ups role, orphanage, isolation, children's rights, youth

Forest can reveal the dark depths of our souls, while it holds and protects us in our process of facing them. This is the basis of a silent dialogue between the protagonists and the forest in this film. As layered as the symbolism of forest is the human solitude.

Nikolai and Camille are living in foster institutions and a feeling of isolation and loneliness is deeply rooted in their experience. Camille was born abandoned as her mother left her after delivery and her father was never there, having a new family with another woman. Nikolai lives inward and his past is being revealed slowly to the viewer. Craving for connections and family, he persuades Camille to move into the forest with him. He wants to become a father he never had. Two lonely souls try to create a family that can only exist in complete isolation.

"Dark Heart of the Forest“ is a touching film about solitude and the search for love and peace. Spoken through young people who never had what commonly would be considered a family. With the help of film art, the authors have been able to capture the lively soul of the forest and have created strong symbolic undercurrents. The sound design recorded in the church with mystical acoustics, the direction that accurately captures the tones and halftones, and the mood-bearing cinematography keep the viewer on board.

Dora Lall

Director
Serge Mirzabekiantz
Screenwriter
Patrick Delperdange, Serge Mirzabekiantz, Benjamin d'Aoust
Cast
Elsa Houben, Quito Rayon Richter, Aurélia Petit, Olivier Massart, François Prodhomme
Producer
Anthony Rey
DoP
Virginie Surdej
Editor
Julie Naas
Music
Cyrille de Haes, Margaret Hermant, Manuel Roland
Production
Hélicotronc, Sacrebleu Productions
World sales
TVCO
Runtime
Language
French
Subtitles
Estonian, English
Director
Serge Mirzabekiantz

Serge Mirzabekiantz (snd 1975 Brüsselis) astus Londoni Kolledžisse (1993), mille lõpetas farmatseudina, saades seejärel farmaatsiakoolist Ettevõtja auhinna. Ta lõpetas kooli kiituskirjaga, lavastades oma lõpufilmi „Loin des yeux“. Pärast kaht lühifilmi osales ta Atelier Grand Nordis ja lavastas oma esimese mängufilmi „Metsa tume süda“.

Best Film Award, grant of 5000 euros from National Geographic

Screenings

8th Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening080602 / Metsa tume süda
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
2nd Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening090201 / Metsa tume süda
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Q&A guestsSerge Mirzabekiantz - Director, Elsa Houben - Actress, Anthony Rey - Producer
Q&A duration
Screening duration
Hall Electric Cinema, Tartu
Screening122203 / Metsa tume süda
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration
Hall 2 Kino Artis
Screening161604 / Metsa tume süda
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration