ARAL
FISHING IN AN INVISIBLE SEA
Moynak. Uzbekistan. 2004
DVCAM Color, 52 min.

Synopsis:
A documentary film about the three remaining generations of fishermen in the Aral Sea,
And their awaiting and everyday struggle to survive in one of the scarcest places on the planet. Life after one of man made biggest disasters.

Director's Statement:
We wanted to portray the dying process of a sea through the three last affected generations, from the old fisherman, retired who lived the sea, to the adult generation who still survives through fishing in the remain lakes, till the desert generation that survives from nothing, trying to keep the traditions and hope of a return of a more hopeful future. It is a film about the process of death and strength and root ness of people connected to their land. Aral doesn't speak about politics or ecology it speaks only about the human survival strength. Aral still lives as an invisible presence and memory of what is considered as one of man made biggest disasters of our planet.

Credits:
Direction and Photography:
Carlos Casas and Saodat Ismailova
Editor: Felipe Guerrero
Music: Andres Reymondes Mutti
Sound: Giorgio Collodet
Production: Kamilla Biktimirova
Producer: Fabrica

Main Characters
Young Fisherman:
Janibek Anuarov
Adult Fisherman:
Tanjer Irsimbetov
Old Fisherman:
Jumagul Oltijanov

Festivals:
-Torino Film Festival 2004
Winner Best Documentary
-Documenta Madrid 2005,
Special Mention from Jury
-Filmmaker Film Festival Milano 2004
-Rotterdam Film Festival IFFR 2005
-Visions du Reel Nyon 2005
-One World Prague 2005,
-Fotografia Festival Rome 2005.
-Leipzig Film Festival 2005.
-Fabrica Cinema Festival
Centre Pompidou 2006 Paris.