The Tale of Silyan

Inspired by a folktale about a young boy who is turned into a stork by his father, the new film from the Oscar-nominated director of Honeyland tells a heartwarming story of family, farming and sustainability in North Macedonia. Set in a region with one of the densest stork populations, the film parallels the children’s fable with the real-life story of charming elderly farmers Nicola and Jana. Facing mounting economic pressures that force his family into working in exile, Nicola stays behind, unsure whether they should sell the farm altogether. When the veteran farmer rescues an injured stork from a nearby landfill, he finds new meaning and hope in the nurturing of his feathered friend.

So skillfully crafted that it feels as much like a cinematic parable as a documentary, The Tale of Silyan features captivating storytelling and visually stunning cinematography, exquisitely capturing both the rural landscape as well as the majestic storks. Both personal and poetic, the film relates a cautionary tale of ecological imbalance. Perhaps the storks have something to tell us all.

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