International Premiere

Balance

Anna, a 12-year-old Ukrainian gymnast, explores the challenges of exile and identity rebuilding after the war. 

SYNOPSIS

Anna, a twelve-year-old Ukrainian gymnast, fled her war-torn country and recently settled in Montreal with her mother, little brother, and grandmother. Confronted with her past, the challenges of exile, and her visceral need for belonging, she seeks to rebuild her identity and regain balance. Through her child's perspective, the documentary explores the reality of the post-war experience, questioning what remains and what is missing, even when one has found refuge.

Theme(s): , Identity, Migration

DETAILS

Director | , Luiza Cocora
Year | , 2024
Country | , Québec
Duration | 20 minutes
Original language | , French, Russian, ukrainienne
Subtitles | , French
Editing | Emmanuelle Lane, Terence Chotard
Screenplay | Luiza cocora

DIRECTOR

Photo

Luiza Cocora

SEE COMPLETE PROFILE

After earning a bachelor’s degree in drama from the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, Luiza worked as an actress in renowned theaters across Romania, where she received several acting awards. Following film studies at Concordia University, she directed two short fiction films, both screened at TIFF. A recipient of the Regard sur Montréal residency, she directed the short documentary Voltige.

CAREER

Shorts Mexico - Festival international de courts métrage du Mexique 2024 • Rising of Lusitana – ANIMADOC FILM FESTIVAL 2024 • DOK Leipzig 2024 • FIFF NAMUR 2024 • Black Harvest • International Film Festival 2024 • Escales Documentaires 2024 • RIDM 2024 • Ismailia International Film Festival 2025 • Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma (RVQC) 2025 • Vues sur mer 2025 • Regard 2025

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

SCREENING 1 | 

24 July 2025 pm31 20h45

Parc Molson 

This film is included in screening Short film competition – Programme #3

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