Films A-Z
Ivetka and the Mountain
Ivetka a hora
Vít Janeček / Czech Republic / 2008 / 84 min.
Vít Janeček's new documentary is based on the claim that in the years 1990 to 1995 the Virgin Mary appeared to two girls in a village in eastern Slovakia. The director captures the story of one of them, Iveta Hudáková, who returns to the mountain with a group to whom she relays the message of the Mother of God. However, the film does not attempt to examine whether her claims are based in truth. Rather it shows the institutionalisation of a miracle, which without the proper integration into the structure of the system is dangerous and unacceptable. Life with a stigma is not easy, even though in this case it evidently promises an aura of exceptionality. Iveta goes through various phases of self-acceptance, in which are mixed feelings of obligation, culpability and atonement. How much strength do we need to be ourselves? And how do we deal with it when others begin to lay claim to our lives? The calm pace of this documentary arises from the quiet highland landscape and the contemplation of the girl, thus creating a meta-space for the raising of questions and searching for answers.