Astra Film Festival highlights transhumance documentary
The 33rd edition of the Astra Film Festival is taking place in Sibiu, Romania, showcasing a range of documentary films. Among them is Milky Way, a film directed by Dumitru Budrala, which explores the traditional practice of transhumance, a seasonal movement of livestock to different grazing areas.Documentary follows a family’s transhumance life
Milky Way follows the lives of Pătru, Maria, and their son Petrică, who spend seven months of the year herding sheep to better pastures. Maria stays home to care for the youngest of their seven children, while Pătru and Petrică face harsh conditions on their journey.Film captures both beauty and hardship
The documentary features stunning visuals of Romanian landscapes, shot by Budrala himself. It portrays the exhausting daily routines of the family, with Maria dealing with constant chores and Pătru and Petrică enduring long nights outdoors, regardless of the weather.Challenges and dramatic events are shown
The film includes intense moments, such as Pătru’s recovery from a bear attack and a village’s reaction to wolves preying on the sheep. While some may wish for tighter editing or more articulate protagonists, the film aims to show the raw, unfiltered experience of transhumance.Festival highlights global transhumance issues
Milky Way is part of the “Living Mountain” section at the festival, which includes other films examining the challenges of transhumance worldwide. These include Wool Man Sheep, To Hold a Mountain, and a 1925 silent film about Iran’s Bakhtiari nomads.Future of the family’s tradition is uncertain
The family’s other children are less likely to follow in Pătru and Petrică’s footsteps, as the parents are working to fund their education for a more comfortable future. The admiration for the family’s way of life is mixed with a sense of sadness, much like the feeling when appreciating the beauty of Venice.
