Banícky chlebíček

The joys and sorrows of the residents of the South-East Slovakian village of Rakovnica are shared in a documentary film by local-born Roman Fábian. Through portraits of local people, the director tries to capture their relationship to the native land and the once famous modern mining plants. With the fall of Communism, iron ore mining ended and the area now faces decline and high unemployment. The nostalgic memories of locals to the good old days contrast with the testimonies of young people today, who do not find much promise of employment in the village. Through the window of this generational difference, the resulting document raises questions about the region's future. (One World)