The Tale of Silyan

From Tamara Kotevska, the Oscar-nominated director of Honeyland, comes a poignant and visually stunning story set in the heart of her homeland of North Macedonia. Nikola, a farmer grappling with the harsh realities of new government policies, finds himself unable to sell his land or crops.  When his family leaves in search of a better life abroad, Nikola takes a job as a landfill attendant, where he encounters an injured white stork, Silyan – with its elegant body adorned in white feathers and strong black wings. In Macedonia, the white stork is a mythical creature, capturing human imagination for centuries. Unable to fly, Silyan would have perished in the landfill were it not for the kindness of Nikola. As he nurses the bird back to health, an unlikely bond forms between man and animal.  The result is a deeply moving film that touches on climate change, economic migration, resilience, and the quiet power of connection. THE TALE OF SILYAN is North Macedonia’s submission to the Oscars for Best International Feature.