Synopsis
Tichilesti is a small village that sits seemingly at the end of the world where an unusual mixture of village and sanatorium can be found. This lost town is just up from the Danube River Delta, the most picturesque of Romanian landscapes, where 23 lepers and more than three-dozen hospital staff live. Among the staff is just one doctor, a dermatologist, Rizvan Vasilu.
The Romanian Ministry of Health forbid shooting in the sanitarium, warning of a high risk of contagion. As a result, the documentary on the last European inhabitants touched by the microbe of the ?devil’s disease? started outside the sanitarium.
Tichilesti?s patients are all afflicted with the non-contagious form of the disease, allowing them to leave the sanatorium. Almost all of Tichilesti?s patients have families, healthy descendants whose visits serve as a break from the monotonous boredom of everyday life. Family visits are the special treat that keep many of the village?s residents from giving up.
Cristache Tatulea is the 75 years old unofficial mayor of Tichilesti. At sixteen he was diagnosed with leprosy and has since lived in the sanatorium. He is very vital, always in movement, always ready to talk while drinking wine from his vineyard. He is the ?motor? of the sanatorium, and an example for less motivated inhabitants of the sanatorium.
In May 2005, a home for the elderly was opened in Tichilesti. Supported by the European Union, it was the visionary project of Dr. Rizvan Vasilu, trying on one hand to prepare the sanatorium for the moment the last leper will die and on the other hand to allow leprosy patients to socialize with lonely old people.
That?s how Cristache meets Aurelia, starting one of the most unusual love stories between two people marked by loneliness and isolation.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The tragedy of leprosy is not the disease itself, even though its treatment is lengthy and often accompanied by severe pain for the afflicted. The true tragedy lies in the attitude of the outside world toward leprosy. Leprosy represents much more than just a patient infected with Hansen’s disease. Throughout history, leprosy has become a synonym for disfigured, outcast individuals. Therefore, the first and most important step is to recognize leprosy patients as human beings and as individuals who deserve to live with dignity and be treated with humanity.
9-family-and-crew
15-Christache,-director,-Cosmin
18-Ionel-&-director
24-landscape-3
28-Christache-and-director-2
1-Village-sanitorium
CREW
Screenwriter and Director: BORIS PETKOVIČ
Producer: IDA WEISS
Cinematographer: MARKO KOČEVAR
Editor: MILAN MILOŠEVIČ
Sound Designers: MARKO TAJIČ, IGOR LALOŠ
Lighting: SVETO MAKIČ
Camera Assistants: STANISLAV ŠKODA, ROBERT DOPLIHAR
Organization: MAJA MORAVEC, COSMIN EFTIMIE COSTEIU
Script Supervisor: MARIKA ŠARKEZI
Co-producers (TVS): JANI KOVAČIČ, JAKA HEMLER
CAST
CRISTACHE TATULEA
and
Iona Miscov
Dr. Vasiliu Rizvanov
Gabriela Nicoleta Babei
Mioara Babei
Ionut Babei
Onel Fistoleanu
Ionica Fistoleanu
Maria Fistoleanu
Domnica Miscov
Ion Piticas
Lazar Kiselef
Elena Moraru
Florentina Tugui
Aurelia Dan
Lungu Florin
Aurelian Tecuta
Costica Serban
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Duration: 48 minutes
Format: Digital Beta, Color
Year of Production: 2006
PRODUCTION
BELA FILM
In co-production with:
RTV SLOVENIA – Documentary Programs Division
Editor of the Documentary Program (TVS): ŽIVA EMERŠIČ
Project type
Documentary
