Famous Slovak director and globetrotter Pavol Barabáš triumphed at the International Documentary Film Festival on Parks in the Italian city of Sondrio with his documentary 'Vysoké Tatry - divočina zmrznuta v case' (The High Tatras - a Wilderness Frozen in Time), it was announced on October 13.
Barabáš won the first prize at the festival, which took place between October 6-11, receiving €5,000 (Sk150,600) in the process. The documentary received praise from both the festival jury and audience.
The festival's director Maria Cotelli told the TASR news agency that the documentary described the protected natural area in all its complexity, depicting it as a place where people encroach with respect for nature.
"Life in the mountains is pictured as a struggle for survival, as life in which man is put at the same level as other animal species," she said. The documentary was co-produced with Austria, and is gradually being accepted by the top film festivals with an environmental focus around the world.
There is a world existing in parallel to the world of people, and it's not to be held responsible for our carelessness, said Barabáš.
"It has its own territories and laws. It's a world we have tried to reveal a little in this film," he added. Barabáš also said that it's up to people in Slovakia what they do with the Tatra mountains, whether or not there will be a massive expansion of tourist centres, ski centres or other attractions. The festival organisers have invited Barabáš to take part in next year's event. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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