The Great Water 2005

Inspired by Živko Čingo’s cherished children’s book from the 1970s, this emotional film explores the tumultuous aftermath of the war in Macedonia. The story opens in contemporary times, where Meto Jovanovski (Meto Jovanovski), a seasoned politician grappling with a critical heart condition, is taken to the hospital for urgent medical care. As he begins to recover, Jovanovski’s mind drifts to his childhood during the year 1945, a period rife with uncertainty and change.

As these vivid memories come flooding back, we find ourselves in an orphanage where children are being shaped into loyal supporters of the nascent regime. Jovanovski reflects on the challenges he endured as a boy, forced to conform to a society that prioritized obedience over individuality. In the midst of this stark environment, he forms an unexpected friendship with Isak, a charming and radiant child who ignites a flicker of hope amid the somber backdrop.

As the tale progresses, underlying tensions begin to surface, highlighting the stark contrast between the Communist regime’s harsh dismissal of faith and the profound human need for spiritual connection. The narrative grapples with the complex legacies left by leaders like Stalin and Tito, alongside the difficult adjustment to a new political order intent on erasing national pride. Ultimately, it poignantly depicts the tragic metamorphosis of children into mere instruments of the state, robbed of their unique identities and the innocent pleasures of childhood camaraderie.