Watch The Great Water

The Great Water is a Macedonian film that premiered in 2004 at the Venice Film Festival. It was directed by Ivo Trajkov and starred Saso Kekenovski, Maja Stankovska, and Mitko Apostolovski. The film is set in an orphanage in Communist-era Macedonia, where a young boy named Lem comes of age. The orphanage is run by a group of nuns who mistreat the children and force them to work in a brick factory. Lem befriends Isak, the only other boy his age who is also an orphan. Isak is considered to be a troublemaker and is often beaten by the nuns.

As they grow older, Lem and Isak begin to question the oppressive regime they live under. They dream of a better life outside the orphanage walls and begin to plan their escape. They eventually succeed and embark on a journey through the countryside, seeking freedom and a new life.

Along the way, they encounter a series of characters who help and hinder them. They take shelter with a farmer and his wife, and later a family of gypsies. They also cross paths with a group of soldiers who are hunting them down. Lem and Isak must rely on their wits and each other to survive.

The film is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of freedom, friendship, and rebellion. It paints a bleak picture of life under Communist rule and the harsh realities faced by orphans in that system. The performances by the young actors are particularly noteworthy, with Kekenovski and Stankovska delivering nuanced and emotional performances.

The cinematography is also stunning, with sweeping shots of the Macedonian countryside and the bleak industrial landscape of the brick factory. The film is shot in a gritty and realistic style that captures the harsh realities of life in Communist-era Macedonia.

Overall, The Great Water is a powerful and thought-provoking film that takes a hard look at the human cost of political oppression. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship to overcome even the most daunting obstacles.