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After living in Belgium for a while, Stefan returns to his native Romania and becomes a shepherd, taking care of a group of sheep in the rural areas. Jannes Callens’s documentary captures the intimate details of his daily routines and his relationships with other shepherds. The cinematography beautifully portrays the different times of the day, from the soft blue of dawn to the warm golden light of daytime and the dark of night, reflecting Stefan’s journey through this transitional phase of his life.
The sounds of sheep bells and rustling grass create an immersive and idyllic experience in the film, Dor. However, alongside this peaceful setting, the film also tackles difficult truths. Stefan, working in the fields with 17-year-old Teo, opens up about his struggle to form emotional connections to a place. His previous experiences abroad were tainted by heartbreak and job insecurity, leaving him feeling disconnected from his home country. In contrast, Teo, despite being much younger, exudes confidence and certainty in his decision to never leave Romania due to homesickness.
In a job that is constantly changing, the men develop a sense of unity as they chat late into the night or exchange tattoos as souvenirs. These tender moments erase the exhaustion of farm work and help ease Stefan’s feelings of being adrift. The film, with its opening and closing shots of Stefan’s face – one in the morning light, the other by a campfire – portrays more of a continuous longing rather than a transformational journey.
Source: theguardian.com
