Private Project

My Little Nest

The story follows the journey of a girl - pirate, looking for her lost treasure from the early childhood. After a big storm on the open sea, an Elder (orthodox monk) with a little bear finds her on his island. Will the girl find there the treasure she is looking for?

  • Kate Vlakeska
    Director
  • Kate Vlakeska
    Writer
  • Martin Drgon
    Producer
  • Marianna Liparova
    Key Cast
    "Narrator's voice"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Moje Hniezdo
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 14, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Slovakia
  • Language:
    Slovak
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava (VSMU) - Faculty of Film and Television
Director - Kate Vlakeska
Director Statement

My Little Nest, in its essence, is a story of spiritual growth by being reborn when we become a Child — a child as a symbol of purity of soul, meekness, and innocence. To be able to call ourselves a child, we should know our Father.

Main source of inspiration is the strong bond of love and trust between a Spiritual Father (Elder) and his Children, as it exists and is recognized through the experiences of the Eastern-Orthodox Church (especially in the Monastic life).

The animation is created by traditional drawings in pencil. The pencil could be described as an expressive means, which with its "modesty" emphasizes the emotional level of the story and leaves a room for a deeper insight into the inner world of the things. The absence of a strong colority mobilizes the viewer's imagination, and gives him the freedom for a visual dialogue between his soul and the artwork he addresses to.

The nest is the main visual element and driving force of the story. Its existence metaphorically reflects the Child's boat, with which it sails on the waters of life. The nest thus symbolizes the Child's heart, the path it travels, its whole world. The nest can be full of life, joyful, filled with blossoms... but it can also be prickly, with thorns and dry twigs. But, exactly it is this thorny nest that starts the story:

“I wondered if there was such a bird that would come into my nest and
embrace the thorns, sparing not its blood to water them and give them new life... “