The Tale of Silyan's Cinematographer on Getting Up Close and Personal With Storks: 'One Generation of Storks Grew Up With Us'
Forget dogs; in The Tale of Silyan, man's new best friend is the stork. The lyrical documentary, directed by Oscar nominee Tamara Kotevska (Honeyland), offers a captivating portrait of 60-year-old Nikola Conev, a dedicated farmer battling harsh environmental conditions and government intervention to keep his family afloat. While the film addresses universal concerns about climate change and rural economic struggles, its most compelling element is the unique bond formed between Nikola and a wounded stork named Silyan.
Kotevska and her frequent collaborator, cinematographer Jean Dakar, embarked on a journey to study storks' migration patterns and their increasing reliance on landfills for food. This led them to the human world, as storks, typically farm-dwelling birds, mirrored humans' struggles due to environmental degradation.
The filmmakers received assistance from North Macedonia's official environmental organization, which provided a map of stork nests across the country. Over several years, they tracked these nests, gradually building a deep connection with the birds.
The documentary seamlessly blends nature documentary and character study, featuring intimate shots of storks in their natural habitat. The birds' timeless beauty contrasts with the modern world, and their apparent indifference to the cameras and drones adds to the film's allure.
Dakar explains that they filmed three generations of storks, taking advantage of their tendency to return to the same nests. This approach allowed the storks to become accustomed to the filmmakers' presence, equipment, and working methods, enabling them to get remarkably close.
The filming process spanned approximately three years, during which the project faced financial challenges. Kotevska and Dakar relied solely on their mutual dedication, often sleeping in their van and immersing themselves in the wilderness for months at a time. This commitment was necessary to break free from the system and self-fund the project until a producer or distributor came on board.
As the film progressed, the filmmakers formed a deep bond with Nikola and his family. The most poignant moment occurred when Nikola's daughter and son-in-law left for Germany, and his wife joined them, leaving Nikola to care for Silyan. The filmmakers' presence in the family home during this emotional scene created a unique intimacy, allowing them to capture the raw emotions of the characters.
Dakar describes the process of building rapport with the storks as similar to their relationship with Nikola and his family. The storks accepted the filmmakers as part of their family, and they were open to sharing their struggles, including the family's disintegration due to government issues.
The documentary showcases Nikola's dedication to nursing Silyan back to health, a journey that helped him rediscover his purpose. One memorable day of filming, captured by Dakar, featured a flock of storks flying onto Nikola's land in real-time, a moment that Kotevska describes as a 'miracle.'
Despite the film's focus on the storks and Nikola's relationship with Silyan, Dakar reveals that the majority of their work involves research, observation, and studying the animals' behavior, feeding patterns, and more. This process, though seemingly mundane, holds immense value for Dakar, who finds it fascinating.
The Tale of Silyan is a testament to the power of perseverance and the unique connections that can form between humans and nature. It highlights the importance of embracing the unknown and the beauty that can emerge from it.
