Transnistra

Transnistria is a primarily unrecognised state consisting of a strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine. Although it remains unrecognised by the UN, it has its own currency, flag, and military forces. Transnistria is also a documentary about 16-year-old Tonya and her own army of boys, who are continually alternating between friendship, love, and rivalry. Through four seasons we follow this group of underprivileged kids who hail from all across the region, as they go bathing in the river (without knowing how to swim), explore abandoned buildings, and generally just hang around.

The beautiful and dreamlike cinematography, filmed on 16mm, provides a visceral portrait of the teenagers – who have the same desire to break free as the very region they come from. Completely without filters they talk about who they are in love with, about illness and self-harm, and about their dreams and hopes for the future. What future do they really have? Will they ever actually be able to leave their home behind? This documentary gives us a glimpse of what life in Transnistria is like, as well as being a universal tale about youth, love, and growing up in a complex world.

Transistria won the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Documentary at Göteborg Film Festival, and the Big Screen Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival.