Collecting Shadows

This documentary presents a poignant exploration of memory through the lens of individuals affected by conflict. It traverses three distinct spaces, beginning with an abandoned field that serves as a hostel for internally displaced persons, highlighting their existence outside of time and place.

The film also features a Chechen man wandering the cold twilight streets of Moscow, reminiscing about his beloved city. Arthur, the vocalist of the Dead Dolphins band, shares his reluctance to return to Grozny, a city marked by devastation and loss.

Finally, it follows a Russian girl returning to her childhood home in Grozny for the first time since the war. Her journey encapsulates a farewell to the memories of her past and those who have lost their homes and homelands. 'Collecting Shadows' is a reflective documentary that addresses the lingering effects of war on personal identities and memories.