Tila•pia

A boy tries to get in touch with his culture through a specific fish and to learn more about its history, but he is faced with the fact that he does not master his mother tongue. The film unfolds with tenderness, capturing the weight of what’s lost and the longing to bridge a gap that isn’t just about language but about belonging. Hauntingly beautiful images and a carefully layered soundscape guide the film as it traces the journey of the boy and of the fish: from the water to the hands of fishermen, into freezers and pans, touched by many along the way, and ultimately finding its way into the boy’s arms.