Helplessness

Dariia Kovalchuk / Czech Republic / 2024 / World Premiere / 6 min.

synopsis

This documentary reconstruction of a heated conflict between mother and daughter is inspired by Lars von Trier's Dogville. The high level of audience alienation is contributed to by guided puppets and a set dismantled by cynical set designers. The tragedy of the replayed event stands out all the more as the actors seemingly lose interest in it over time.

“I was much more anxious than I am now. I didn't know how to work with them, I didn't know how to deal with the psychological pressure, and I often didn't do or shoot something as a result. Now there's nothing like that.”

Source: AMU

biography

Dariia Kovalchuk (2003) was born in Donetsk region, Ukraine. In 2014 she moved to Kiev, where she studied documentary film at the local university. In 2022, she participated in the Academic Mobility Program at FAMU, where she is now continuing her studies at the Department of Documentary Filmmaking.