National Geographic Acquires “The Tale Of Silyan” For Disney+
Disney has announced that National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired the worldwide rights to “The Tale of Silyan”, a new documentary, which tells a poignant and visually arresting story set in the heart of rural North Macedonia. Nikola, a farmer grappling with the harsh realities of new government policies, finds himself unable to sell his land or crops. When his family leaves in search of a better life abroad, Nikola takes a job as a landfill attendant, where he encounters the injured white stork Silyan. As he nurses the bird back to health, an unlikely bond forms between man and animal. Woven through their journey is a rich North Macedonian folktale, infusing the film with a lyrical, mythical quality. The result is a deeply moving film that touches on climate change, economic migration, resilience and the quiet power of connection.
The film has been directed by Tamara Kotevska, in collaboration with Concordia Studio, The Corner Shop and Ciconia Film, with Tamara saying in a statement regarding the documentary:
“The white stork is a mythical creature in my home country of North Macedonia, so I’m thrilled to partner with National Geographic Documentary Films to be able to share an ancient tale from my childhood about these majestic birds with audiences at festivals, in cinemas and at home. I have devoted my life as a filmmaker to two topics: migration and nature conservation. This film marries the two, as modern macro economics lead people to abandon fertile lands in search of work in urban cities, depleting the white storks’ natural food supply as farms become landfills. It is a stark warning about the direction we are heading.”
Carolyn Bernstein, EVP of Documentary Films at National Geographic said in a statement regarding the movie:
“‘The Tale of Silyan’ offers an irresistible blend of poetic storytelling, visual splendor, and emotional urgency. It is also a testament to the healing power of the natural world as seen through the unlikely friendship between a Macedonian farmer and a white stork. We are big admirers of Tamara’s double Oscar-nominated documentary ‘Honeyland’ and are so happy to be working with this uniquely talented and empathic filmmaker on her beautiful new film”.
Kotevska and Jean Dakar (who doubles as cinematographer) produce for Ciconia Film, alongside The Corner Shop’s Anna Hashmi, as well as Jordanco Petkovski. The film is executive produced by Concordia Studio’s Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim (“An Inconvenient Truth”), Laurene Powell Jobs, Casey Meurer and Lizzie Fox. Martin Ivanov is editor, and Joe Wilson Davies and HunOuk Park composed the music.
National Geographic Documentary Films will roll out “The Tale of Silyan” at festivals around the world before releasing it in theatres ahead of its global streaming debut on Disney+.
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