The documentary “The Flower of Life” – a visual journey through the heritage on both banks of the Nistru River
The preview of the film “The Flower of Life” offered the audience more than just a cinema screening, it was journey to authenticity. The screening began with a recital of season’s carols, setting the stage for the premiere of a documentary that aims to save thousands of decorative elements through the camera lens.
“The film took me back to the authentic Moldovan village, where every object in the house had a purpose, and traditions were not preserved out of nostalgia, but lived naturally, on a daily basis. The gates, the households, the people, and their stories create a simple and profound universe that speaks of care, continuity, and respect for roots. What impressed me the most is that ‘The Flower of Life’ is completely different from what we consume daily on our TV screens or phones. It has a calm rhythm, an attentive gaze, and a quietness that forces you to listen and feel, not just glance at it,” said Daniela, who attended the preview.
The documentary is a visual archive of thousands of traditional elements, from home décor to handmade lace. The title pays homage to a universal symbol – the Flower of Life – an ancient sign found from Ancient Egypt to the Carpathian region. Filming took place between 2019 and 2021, during which time director Victor Maxian explored over 100 localities on both banks of the Nistru River to capture various decorative elements.
“With the help of this project, we visited hundreds of villages in the Republic of Moldova, on both banks of the Nistru. We managed to do something very important, to film as many decorative elements as possible, which, unfortunately, are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Now, if anyone wants to decorate their space with elements inspired by the past, they will have this opportunity thanks to this film, which contains images from all districts and regions of the country.”
Beyond its artistic value, the film is seen as a tool for the development of rural tourism, providing concrete examples of how the local cultural heritage on both banks of the Nistru River can be reached.
“Documentary is not a secondary genre of cinema, it is more necessary. In the film industry, documentaries have the role of preserving memory and consciousness. It captures reality as it is – sometimes uncomfortable, fragile, contradictory – and transforms it into a space for reflection. If fiction films help us escape, documentaries force us to look directly, to understand, to reflect, and to ask questions. We want to believe that we have achieved this goal with the film ‘The Flower of Life’. For cinema, the documentary is a laboratory of truth and innovation. It is a place where new languages, bold narrative forms, and authentic perspectives are tested. Often, documentaries open paths that fiction follows. It is a genre that keeps cinema connected to reality, to people, and to the issues of our time,” concluded Virgiliu Mărgineanu, director of OWH Studio.
From 23 December 2025, the documentary “The Flower of Life” will be available to the public. “The Flower of Life” is an OWH Studio production, made with the support of the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP Moldova.
