A Tall Tale

synopsis

The magic of folksongs lies in their freedom from the restraints of artificial genres and thematic rules. The creative duo of Lucia Nimcová and Sholto Dobie approach their improvised observational documentary in much the same way. The sequence of images from contemporary western Ukraine brings narrative, sound, and musical elements and nearly photographic detailed static scenes of reality into creative counterpoint. Figures of various ages alternate before the camera; interior and exterior locations change; but the song goes on. A folk opera consisting of bawdy folk songs, storytelling ballads, and pre-modern hip-hop. Old world music.

“A Tall Tale seeks to capture private and hidden realities excluded from the main historical narrative of the region. Hard mountain rap, vintage feminism and filthy Carpathian hip hop are still alive and relevant.” Lucia Nimcová

biography

Lucia Nimcová (1977) is a renowned Slovak photographer who divides her time between Brussels and Humenné. In her photography as well as her films, her tendency is to create methodical documentary-style works. She has returned a number of times to the topic of Ukraine (such as in her film Beyond the Wisla, 2011). Sholto Dobie (1991) is a Scottish composer, musician, and curator who focuses on performative forms. He currently lives in London.

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