This video project was inspired by conversations with an elderly Romani woman reflecting on her youth. Her past was filled with hardship, as is so often the case for the Roma people of the Balkans. Faced with a long life of struggles, she now finds solace in revisiting fond memories that sustain her spirit.
She remembers carefree dances from her youth, celebrating with her sisters and friends. In her mind she can recall brief but sweet moments of happiness that life afforded her earlier.
Through movement and storytelling, I aimed to convey the feelings of nostalgia, solitude and resilience that arise when one looks back on youth from the vantage point of old age. The character's fluid dance recalls happier times and community, contrasting with her now solitary existence. Her mimics expresses both the weariness of years lived and the eternal human need to feel connected to loved ones, even if only in recollections of shared joy.
Process:
The clothing was simulated using Marvelous Designer and the scenes were set up in Unreal Engine. Post-processing in After Effects brought emotional depth and tone. Subtle animation and ambient sound design help immerse the viewer in the character's intimate voyage into her past. My goal was to distill a universal experience into a few visual beats that quietly move the soul.
Through this piece, I aimed to pay respectful homage to the enduring spirit of elders everywhere who find purpose in memory despite life's pains. My hope is that viewers feel compassion for all whose lives carry such profound shadows and lights.