HNIFF 2023
Thank You
Directed by Alexandra Maria Manda · Romania · 13 min · short · narrative
Did you hear the screams?Did you feel the rotting wounds?Did you ever breathe the dust after a bomb bloomed?Could you understand the pain that swallows our hearts whole when we think about all the loved ones left at home?The stories of veterans should never be forgotten. Honoring the sacrifices so many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very basis of Veterans Day. A short documentary portrait about Dan Arsenescu,a romanian retired man from army who behind a smile that he always wears on his face,he hides heartbreaking stories about the atmosphere of UN peacekeeping missions.
This film's screening window has ended.
From the director
I want this project to be seen by as many people as possible, because the stories of veterans shouldn't be forgotten.Nowadays, veterans are forgotten for the good things they did for our country as a sign of patriotism.Negligence and insults like "thieves" or "mercenaries" are the events that the Romanian veterans encountered after 1989, after the fall of communism. Their looks tell many stories and suffering stories that nobody knows.As a teen from Z generation,I'm grateful for the veterans who are alive and for the deceased heroes who risked their lives for us in the theaters of operations to maintain peace and security for Romanian citizen and for the wonderful things they did for the populations in the missions.For me,they are the real contemporary superheroes,thank you dear veterans!
Our best option is us.Life begins when the fear is over but sometimes failure is the key to success, it depends on how you approach the situation.I want to go to the place I'm afraid to follow because I know that place is exactly what I'm looking for.Even if talent represents 1% and 99% work, without passion, ambition and motivation you cannot create something to inspire the public.The noblest art is to make people smile and to make your message heard by others.I hope I made my message and intentions heard with the short film "Thank you".
