A film by the collective Chto Delat (web version based on the 2 channel video installation)

Realized by Tsaplya Olga Egorova, Dmitry Vilensky, Nina Gasteva and Nikolai Oleinikov.
The collective responsible for the film further includes: Аnna Тereshkina, Маria Russkikh, Inna Krasnoper, Аrtyom Terentyev and Los. Camera operator: Аrtyom Ignatov.

Directed by Tsaplya Olga Egorova
Length: 36:24 min. Language: Russian-English and Norwegian.

Safe Haven is the name of a network of residences for artists, authors and musicians who live in countries where their life, freedom and human dignity are in danger. In the Safe Haven residences they can decide their further fate– whether to request political asylum or return to their native land. Most of these residences are located in small, pleasant towns in Northern Europe.

We are not yet in need of assistance in the form of a Safe Haven. Regardless of continually growing censorship and repression of any kind of critical statement, we can produce art with minimal risk to life and freedom. But what will happen if we do have need of a Safe Haven? Or rather, what will happen when we need one? What will happen if at some point we find ourselves hiding from danger in a residence on one of the small Norwegian islands?

In our film we created an imaginary situation in which 5 people arrive at one such residence. Each of them would be prepared to get involved in local life and become a full-fledged member of the local community, sharing their experience of persecution and flight; they are therefore keen to listen to local residents, who in turn are happy to share their views on life as well as stories about the place, and to tell about the particular rules of local living. There might turn out to be a lighthouse on the island, and the refugees constantly invoke that image in their reflections.

The film shows the conflict between the possibility of immersing oneself in normal, peaceful life and the idea of returning to real struggle and dangers. This film is a story of what hasn’t happened with us yet.

Produced and shot on location during:
A PM-LKV Collective Residency at Sula Artist in Residence, Norway 2016

Curated by Ivor Stodolsky and Marita Muukkonen of Perpetuum Mobile ry
CoProduced by Perpetuum Mobile, LKV Lademoen and Chto Delat

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