Otava (2021)

The short film Otava deals with loss of a loved one and picks mourning as a theme. It questions whether it is better to mourn alone or in company. At the forefront is the view of a 12-year-old girl who is left without a mother. Loti is forced to move to the countryside to her grandmother. The story begins on a greeny meadow, where Loti finds comfort and the imaginary embrace of her mother. The perfect image of a summer day is interrupted by a grandmother's call and Loti finds herself at the work in the next scene. Everyday farm chores become her new daily ritual. Grandma prepares dinner, disturbed by Loti staring into nature. The relationship of the two girls, with a 50-year age difference, is cold. Loti remains quiet while her grandmother constantly analyzes her. They speak little and the viewer follows the narrative mostly without dialogue. They live next to and by each other. Loti is fed up with chores and finally resists. In a rage, she runs to a nicer place - to the meadow, where she finds shelter again. Everything is beautiful again and Loti is reunited with her mother. The women mourn each in their own way, but only after realizing their (mutual) loss, they can feel the relief.