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Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s education culture is built in a way that after graduation from high school those who are capable of having to move to Baku for university education and eventually to start a “better” life there. It is mostly because, unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for young people in the other districts of the country and the decentralization process is very slow in the regions. The situation makes many young people leave their life behind and start a new beginning in a huge and gray city. Many things do not translate the same when you move from a district where life is slower, nature is beautiful and green, people are kinder and know each other and most importantly there is a sense of community around the neighborhood you used to live in. In return, Baku is very hectic, the weather is toxic, people always rush somewhere and the high buildings and city infrastructure leave you with minimum contact with people and nature. Most women who have mental health problems such as general anxiety and depression find it hard to adapt to a new toxic environment. Most women also feel more insecure about their safety and security in Baku due to the higher chances of harassment compared to the regions. The sense of being a “stranger” to a big city you newly moved in also adds up to the general anxiety and mental health problems. Some spaces help to relax and find peace such as the shore of the Caspian Sea. However, it is getting increasingly crowded and dirtier every other day. Conditions in the country leave many young people with little to no choice but to move to the capital city at some point in their lives. The city design with its many problems from transport to overpopulation makes it hard for most to adapt.

Croatia

In this short video I explored the topic of inclusion through my personal experience by learning Shqip language and local food names. Through many contacts with local people, I have found out that strangers become more cordial and friendly when I approach them in their own language and show a keen interest in learning it. I got — included. Language can be a barrier between strangers, and it can also be what unites them. Food brings people together and at the same time, it operates as an expression of cultural identity. Learning the language and getting to know the names of the local dishes of the country I’m visiting is my way of showing to the strangers that I care about their traditions and their culture. Often, only because of showing that interest, I get included in strangers’ lives or even invited to unexpected events. Strangers become acquaintances, acquaintances become friends. Filmed on a rainy day in Tirana, Albania, as seen by a foreign observer.

Puerto Rico

Bolek Ryziński, born in Poland, architect, sculptor, photographer, builder, spent most of his life in NYC. As of 2021, he lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is where his public Caoba Project was born. Bolek inspired by a mahogany trunk left on an island, between highway ramps, decided to give it a shape. The movie introduces the process of sculpting, along with the birth of an idea. Narrated by the artist, the movie is made as a moving collage. Mostly from footage given to me by Bolek, and pictures of objects characteristic of San Juan’s nature. The Caoba Project is continuing. San Juan allocated a “new” mahogany trunk, on a public square, to be sculpted by Bolek. Bolek Ryziński’s Caoba Project is street art, it belongs to everyone.

Georgia

Only discoveries remain Shadows play around People are playing around The world around you is playing We even follow its flow Flow Which The flow too We do not know We do not know Our move We do not know Ours The next step The direction has a form Form which Leads Leads But Where We do not know either In these new discoveries We find ourselves We will find ourselves and be discovered Then Disappears All that Only Discoveries remain.

South Africa

In the heart of Johannesburg opened in 2019 the Holocaust & Genocide Centre, which attempts to educate the contexts and patterns of genocides to students and other groups. This idea is transportated through it's inspiring architecture and the multitude od supporters and volunteers such as survivors.

Denmark

The short centers around the people using the recycling center. When I accidentally stepped into this place, I was surprised by the scenery, because in Japan(where I can from), it is not normal for people to go to a recycling center. We put our boxes in the street, and the garbage truck will pick it up. In the dump station that I went to, of course there were carpenters and gardeners, but there were also many normal people. And I think if you are Danish, I imagine that it would be a norm from a young age to go to these recycling place. In a span of four days of filming, I asked 12 people how they felt about the place. Though there were few who felt negativity in the place, everyone agreed that it is good to dump the garbage by themselves because it is good for the environment, and that it is normal to do that. As I was shooting the film, I realized that “normality” was the key word for this short. Normality is dangerous because my normal is not your normal, and the perception of one’s normality can exclude people that is not within that normality. The short has a very positive atmosphere, but at the same time, it is important to note that that positivity could “leave someone behind”. Please enjoy.