L'île aux oiseaux

  • 60'
  • Switzerland
  • 2019

After a period of illness and isolation, Antonin, who suffers from constant exhaustion, starts working at a bird rescue centre. While he learns the tricks of the trade, he rediscovers the world around him through the birds and the people who care for them, waiting to spread his wings. As a viewer, we adopt the calm, ornithologist's perspective and view the quotidian poetry of, say, a swan shedding a tear during surgery or a small bird carefully exploring a piece of apple. Injured birds and lost souls therefore seem intrinsically connected: man and beast receive equal levels of attention.

Oscillating between documentary and staging, a Bresson-like microcosm develops in which nature is as brutal as it is beautiful. Minimalist motion and dialogue, complemented by soft colours and the use of the intimate 4:3 format, depict the fragility of the birds and Antonin with just as much emotion.

Directors
Maya Kosa, Sérgio da Costa
Country of production
Switzerland
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
60'
Medium
DCP
International title
Bird Island
Language
French
Producers
Joëlle Bertossa, Flavia Zanon
Production Company
Close Up Films
Sales
Close Up Films
Cinematography
Sérgio da Costa
Editor
Gabriel Gonzalez, Gabriel Gonzalez, Maya Kosa, Sérgio da Costa
Sound Design
Xavier Lavorel
Directors
Maya Kosa, Sérgio da Costa
Country of production
Switzerland
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
60'
Medium
DCP
International title
Bird Island
Language
French
Producers
Joëlle Bertossa, Flavia Zanon
Production Company
Close Up Films
Sales
Close Up Films
Cinematography
Sérgio da Costa
Editor
Gabriel Gonzalez, Gabriel Gonzalez, Maya Kosa, Sérgio da Costa
Sound Design
Xavier Lavorel