“FIRST LAST SUMMER” WINS SECOND PRIZE IN TURKEY
The film by Nastazja Gonera was recognised at the 22nd edition of the Izmir Kisa Film Festival.
Izmir Kisa Film Festival is one of the most important film events in Turkey, and certainly the most important one when it comes to short films. Every year, the organisers select the most interesting short dramas, documentaries, animated, and experimental films from around the world. This year's edition was held on 22–28 November.
This year, one of the films invited to the international competition was the short film by Nastazja Gonera. The jurors liked First Last Summer so much that they awarded the production with the second prize.
The world as we know it is ending before our eyes. In a secret military centre, somewhere by the Polish sea, a strange experiment is carried out – a group of scientists and military men transform repeating offenders into animals. The experiment is supervised by Gaia, a scientist and veterinarian of the future. She carefully picks convicts to the needs of nature, looks after the animals and decides when they can be released into the wild to fulfil their role as revivalists of the species. It's difficult, demanding work – also in terms of morality. She is aided, to the best of their ability, by her children – young Bebe and teenager Janek. At least until U is also brought to the centre in a newly arrived transport of convicts among murderers and rapists. The young girl immediately attracts Janek's attention. She didn't end up here by accident. It isn't innocents who are sent to save the dying nature, but Janek is hell bent on helping her get out of this place. However, this means opposing his own family and a cause that is many times greater than himself. But it's a beautiful summer, and the feeling that connects these two – a convict and a prison helper – could certainly have a future. If only it wasn't the first summer of the end of the world… Whose lives would we be ready to sacrifice if nature had given us such a bill?
You can read more about the festival on its official website.