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Jelena's Song

In this short lyrical film, haunting childhood memories, photographs and family stories form the heart of a woman’s search for transformation. A descent into the labyrinths of memory, the film documents Jelena’s recollections of her childhood in both Croatia and Canada, resulting in a fragmentary reconstruction of her past. With candour and sensitivity, Jelena reclaims her own identity, disarming us with her courage and will.
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In this short lyrical film, haunting childhood memories, photographs and family stories form the heart of a woman’s search for transformation. A descent into the labyrinths of memory, the film documents Jelena’s recollections of her childhood in both Croatia and Canada, resulting in a fragmentary reconstruction of her past. With candour and sensitivity, Jelena reclaims her own identity, disarming us with her courage and will.

 This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Visual Arts Children and Youth Social Issues All subjects
  • director
    Pablo Alvarez-Mesa
  • producer
    Ravida Din
  • executive producer
    Ravida Din

Education

Ages 15 to 17

Notes

What does Jelena mean when she says she wants to 'own' her own image? At this point in her life Jelena seems remarkably free of bitterness and anger. What are some of her strategies for coping? How does she contextualize the traumatic incidents? What does she feel about the man who abused her? Have students discuss issues of forgiveness and forgetting in this film. How does Jelena see the importance of either?

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Jelena's Song
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