Two French cyclists chase Europe's last animist fire through -20°C Baltic winters. Who needs CGI when nature's this metal?
Does Europe also have its own animistic heritage, like Pachamama in South America and Shinto in Japan? If so, which one? In the Misty Lands, i.e. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, a sacred fire is lit on the winter solstice to celebrate the return of the sun and ancient beliefs that have been forgotten in the rest of Europe for thousands of years. Sophie Planque and Jérémy Vaugeois decided to take a journey on bicycles to experience the Baltic winter and meet the people who keep their ancestral culture alive. A unique heritage that reinforces a deep relationship with nature.
Cinematography
Stunning frozen landscapes shot in unforgiving Baltic winter light.
Direction
Patient observation lets subjects reveal belief systems organically.
Sound
Crunch of snow, crackling sacred fires, minimal score respects silence.
Director
Sophie Planque
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
FR
