Echoes of the Elders

Echoes of the Elders is a short film project following an English hiker whose journey through the Carpathian Mountains becomes an encounter with the unfamiliar.

The story draws on Romanian folklore and the uncertain boundary between what a character experiences and what has actually happened. Explore the project artwork above and the synopsis that follows.

Synopsis

Josh sets out through the Transylvanian mountains, aiming to reach a remote cabin. With the daylight fading and his phone signal unreliable, he continues along the route.

As night falls, he finds a Romanian cottage and is welcomed by an elderly man. Over food and conversation, the man asks him to deliver a mysterious ring to someone he does not know.

The journey then takes a stranger turn. Led by the old man, Josh encounters beings dancing in a circle. Drawn towards them, he offers the ring to one of the figures. Her rejection brings a searing sensation, and he flees in confusion as the cottage catches fire behind him.

The story’s final turn reveals that Josh has been on a hallucinogenic trip with Romanian friends. A call from Anna brings him back to the present, leaving the mountain encounter suspended between memory, imagination and folklore.

The closing image returns to the snow-covered peaks, with a reference to the Iele of Romanian folklore.

The project

The artwork and story information on this page introduce the film project. They provide a place to follow its development alongside our commissioned photography and film work.

Discuss your project

For questions about Echoes of the Elders, email us. To explore our wider filmmaking, browse the motion portfolio.