My Ozerna (2022)

UK/PL, Documentary, 60 min.

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.

Director Karina Bedkowska

Producer Monika Braid

Production Companies
Braidmade Films

Funding Polish Film Institute, TVP