Poetry and reflection in IDFA winner Song from the Forest

With the crowning of Song from the Forest by Michael Obert, the jury chose a poetic film essay that combines a very personal account with reflection on our culture. Samedi is a 13-year-old Bayaka Pygmy from Central Africa who here travels to his American father's homeland for the first time.

Het meest verbazingwekkende is misschien wel wat de producent me na afloop van de voorstelling vertelde. Na het New Yorkse avontuur keerden vader en zoon terug naar Afrika. Samedi trok daar vervolgens met zijn moeder wekenlang diep de jungle in. Na terugkomst bij zijn stam heeft hij nooit meer over Amerika gesproken.

Dit zegt de jury: “With a lush sound design, tender images, and intimate access, this film explores the legacy of an aging man immersed deep in a rainforest community, where he has recorded thousands of hours of music. By tracing his journey back to the city with his young son, this film poetically asks: as the world changes around us, what do we leave behind? The jury gives the prize for the best Feature length documentary to Song from the Forest by Michael Obert.”