Coal & Cossacks

Frédéric Cousseau / France / 2013 / World Premiere / 8 min.

synopsis

A festive parade of Cossacks, solid in their pride, flows down the street in slow motion just as the coal flows down the conveyer belt. In all its massive and monstrous beauty, the giant steel mining equipment represents strength and security just as the Cossack army under God’s protection.

A group of Cossacks, priests and boys halts before a church. Sabres touch the children’s shoulders and the boy is kissed. He wipes his lips with a handkerchief. A small festive moment, like when the coal is transported to the harbour.