The Tale of Silyan

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The Tale of Silyan

PG

2025

1h 21m

Documentary

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100%

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37 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Tamara Kotevska tells the story a white stork, Silyan, and a Macedonian farmer, Nikola. Their lives intertwine when Nikola, abandoned by his family, saves the injured bird from a landfill. As Nikola and Silyan form a bond, they find solace and companionship in each other's solitude.

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Critics Consensus

A tender and inventive docu-fable, The Tale of Silyan blends myth and reality to capture the human-avian connection with poetic subtlety, emotional depth, and quiet, unforgettable charm.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 31

A lovely, lyrical film... The images are just so striking.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Dec 12

4/5

Fabulous visual gags abound.

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Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

Dec 11

3/5

The ending is upbeat, perhaps contrivedly so, but Kotevska cannily pulls you in, merging a feel-good nature story with her depiction of forbidding rural economics. Ultimately, it’s the realism that grips you, even while you’re charmed by the clattering.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

Jan 16

Its charming story of coexistence and blue-collar resilience resonates across geographic boundaries.

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Jose Solís

Common Sense Media

Jan 13

4/5

This documentary has the kind of quiet power that makes you wonder how something this intimate was even possible to capture on camera.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Dec 24

4/5

Filled with memorable images and nuggets of homespun wisdom, this may be utterly delightful, but there's an edge to the insights into migration and environment change.

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Aisha R

@AishaSky Jan 21

One of the most poetic, visually stunning and moving documentaries i have ever seen. Don't be fooled by it's understated narrative, the film is deeply layered in meaning, environmental and societal relevance and compassion.

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Thoki T

@Thokozani Jan 10

Best movie of the year no joke. It’s a masterpiece ✨

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 29

Real footage in 01 hour and 21 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tamara Kotevska

Director

Aleksandar Conev

Self

Nikola Conev

Self

Aleksandra Coneva

Self

Ilina Coneva

Self

Jana Coneva

Self

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Synopsis

Tamara Kotevska tells the story a white stork, Silyan, and a Macedonian farmer, Nikola. Their lives intertwine when Nikola, abandoned by his family, saves the injured bird from a landfill. As Nikola and Silyan form a bond, they find solace and companionship in each other's solitude.

Director: Tamara Kotevska
Producer: Anna Hashmi, Tamara Kotevska, Jean Dakar, Jordanco Petkovski
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: Concordia Studio, The Corner Shop, Ciconia Film
Rating: PG
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Macedonian
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.0K
Runtime: 1h 21m

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