Skip to main content

Film

Title: “Medzi doľinami, medzi vŕški. Po stopách budúceho zvuku slovenska”
Genre: Documentary, Music
Duration: 92 minutes
Year: 2025
Country: Slovakia, Argentina, International
Language: Slovak, Spanish, English, French (subtitles available in all four languages)
Producer & Director: Cristian Estrella

Cast:
Cristian Estrella, Alica Heregová, Dominika Vitková, Petřa Valentová, Germán Estrella, Matthias Moreno, Jakub Pišek, Andrew Gibson, Igor Babiak, Katka Lahová, Daniel Inger, Benito Malacalza, Miloš Kondač, Abello Cepero Travaglini, Kate Farquhar, Sergio Zaldo Molina, Marc-Eric Laine, Yutaka Ban, Kristina Lukačova, Sveto Gavora, Veronika Mezeiová, Oto Hudec, Andrei Mărginean, Nacho Mapacho, Verónika Uhrecká, Dodo Uhrecký, Branislav Tužinsky.

Synopsis:
In a present where artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence compete to define the course of humanity, “Between the valleys, between the hills, in the footsteps of the future sound of Slovakia” transports the viewer to Dúbravica, a remote Slovak village nestled between valleys and hills. This documentary, captured using mobile phones and action cameras, portrays the creation of the album The Future Sound of Slovakia and the film itself, exploring the fusion of tradition and modernity.

Cristian, an Argentine musician and producer, arrives in this village of 400 inhabitants to produce his works. However, upon arrival, he detects the presence of an unidentified flying object (UFO) stationed just a few meters away. A mystery that defies all logic and adds a magical touch to the narrative.

Over the course of 92 minutes, the film captures moments of communion and creativity, where music and human connection emerge as antidotes to individualism. Interviews, both in-person and virtual, connect musicians, cultural managers, and creators from different parts of the world. The ties between Argentina and Slovakia are highlighted, and the participants shed light on cultural integration and the future. The sense of belonging and the role of technology in preserving identity find a parallel in the digital version of an ozembuch (a traditional Slovak instrument) invented by one of the musicians.

In an unexpected twist, the story of a Japanese artist who recorded his fujara flute 15 years ago in France finds its place in the project. This raises questions about the notion of permanence. The film culminates in a futuristic presentation on Children’s Day, where the younger generations create their costumes, dance, and celebrate the songs for the first time, hinting at a possible future of diversity and integration.

“Between the valleys, between the hills” is not just a “folkumentary”, but an invitation to reflect on the future of humanity on a planet where tradition and technology coexist, and where the unknown reminds us that there are still unanswered questions.

Additional Notes:

  • Visual Style: Filmed using mobile devices and action cameras, offering a raw and authentic aesthetic.

  • Gear: iPhone 4, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, Samsung Galaxy A50, GoPro Hero 3, Generic HD Action cameras, Zoom H4n, MacbookPro A1278, MacbookPro A2338.

  • Soundtrack: Blends Slovak folk sounds with modern genres like electro-rock, indie dance, no-wave and downtempo. Incidental music features strings and winds.

  • Main Themes: Cultural integration, intergenerational unity, technology, tradition, identity, and the future.