Doc-talks under the fig tree

The day is slowly going away and if the mind becomes silent for a moment, and takes the body along, you may hear the words of the song which the muezzin sings in a language indecipherable for many of us. But what does it say, really? To slow down, to let go, to lighten up our heavy steps while walking down the cobblestone alleys in the Old Turkish Bazaar in Skopje, rushing toward the An in order to escape the scorching August heatwave. Suddenly, a relief! Behind the massive stone walls a cool breeze embraces us, our thoughts become clear, water is flowing in the center… All is well. We hear the sound of children’s laughter and a distant echo of dogs barking. It’s just a few minutes before 6 p.m, so that means that it’s too early for screenings for it’s still daylight. However, it’s time to talk, to listen and then talk and listen a bit more…

We are sitting in a circle. For a moment we become silent, all of us are here and we may begin. А summer scent is gently spreading in the air- black Turkish tea, wild figs and watermelon. The tiny metal spoon is making a swirl, melting away the sugar cube. Ching, ching, the spoon goes, announcing the beginning of our discussion. We are talking about characters who live lonesome lives in the middle of mountains, ice deserts and oceans, then for some others who found luck midst unfortunate, next we turn toward the new forms of communication and technology, then we are listening about the craziness of going shooting when everyone tells you that you shouldn’t, then someone shares their aches and pains about the time when realizing that their entire recorded material had simply vanished, then we hear about the joy to see that all the nonsense finally made sense when revealed on the film screen…

Dear dreamers, this year we will, once again, talk under the shadow of our fig tree. We are, just as you, aware that nothing can replace the daily festival discussions held live in the backyard of Kurshumli An. Having in mind this year’s state of emergency, we intend to proceed with these talks accompanied by filmmakers and anyone interested, yet in a different atmosphere but same level of enthusiasm and thirst for exchanging stories.

May we live long and have stories to tell!

20- 26.08. | 15:00 – 17:00 | Zoom

20.08. (Thursday) | Sound of Silence

Larry Sider (Jury member, Editor & Sound Designer), Vladimir Rakić (Workshop mentor, Sound Designer), Marija Stojnić (Speak So I Can See You), Sashko Potter Micevski (We are all going to die).