The new Slovak-Czech documentary film Vtáčnik, directed by Eva Križková, delves into the lives of residents in a Bratislava neighborhood, examining the transformation of a historic vineyard into an area heavily impacted by the predatory approach of developers. This is a story of change and adaptation, featuring former gardeners who remember when the area consisted only of vineyards and forests with no paved road leading there; a Google manager building his dream home for his family; a new apartment owner struggling with uncommunicative neighbors; a construction manager for a large apartment complex that threatens to push out the last piece of wilderness; and the original animal residents. The fragments of local stories from the Vtáčnik neighborhood blend with the director’s childhood memories and reflections on the bird community.
Director Eva Križková states about the film: “Vtáčnik is a real, specific place, but it’s also a metaphor for what can happen to your home or favorite place in today’s turbo-capitalist world if you’re not careful. If you’re too immersed in your individual or family life, you may forget that you’re part of a community of people, animals, and living and non-living nature—and this community needs constant attention and protection. Yes, it’s a challenging and exhausting task. That’s why I think it would be beneficial to make changes to public policies that protect us when we’re not looking. This is precisely what the campaign for change that this film brings is about.”
Alongside a powerful story, the film Vtáčnik also aims to launch a campaign for change among Slovak audiences, primarily focused on supporting urban biodiversity conservation. A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway to support the project and its positive change initiative.
