Women Suicide Season

Simon (27) escapes from his toxic Mother to a lonely but independent life in a trailer on the river bank in the middle of a big city, but running from one woman leads him to face four others who're drowning nearby.

Simon, an IT manager, who wants to escape from his Mother to live a hermit life in a trailer on the bank of a river in the middle of a big city. His solitude is short-lived as women start to commit suicide attempts near him. Simon is forced to save them, causing his long-desired privacy to be ruined. Marta, a primary school teacher; Alla, his first love; Slava, the girl he wishes to have as his wife; and Olena, a younger sister or even a daughter he never had, are trying to overcome the pain of betrayal, the loss of a loved one, self-loathing, and fear of loneliness. Simon's unexpected caring allows the women to discover other life prospects, heal, and get out of their dead-end situations. As well it helps Simon learn to control his emotions, connect with people around him, and take responsibility. Meanwhile, his Mother starts the absurd detective investigation to find him. Simon needs to accept that escape is not a solution, and Mother is not a monster, just a victim of her past.

Director's note:
Women Suicide Season is a story about Simon escaping from a toxic relationship with his Mother into a world of fishing and hermitry. Fate challenges him with four suicidal women who symbolise the stages a hero must go through to grow up and realise that running away is not an option. The first woman is a teacher who helps Simon see the world differently. The second woman is his first love who teaches him about controlling emotions. The third woman is a serious relationship that tests his willpower. The fourth woman triggers paternal feelings and completes his transformation into a different person ready to build a relationship with his Mother on an equal basis. The story's important symbols are magic and the willow tree, a man in a boat, and the concepts of mother and country. They represent the characters' inner struggles and the influence of parents and homeland. We don't choose our parents, and, we don’t choose a country, we have only one and we are responsible for it as citizens.

Producer's note:
A coming of age story of the 27 y.o. boy. Having previous successful experience in producing Pamfir, premiered in Cannes and sold for 20 territories, I was looking for a new talent, and that project stands out immediately by promising title and because of a charismatique, author with an amazing vision and energy, who has power to tell stories on difficult topics with delicacy, humor, and love. During her pitch, she made me feel lonely in a room filled with people and promised a film that would make me want to become a better version of myself. Being a millennial, I was excited to make a film about generation Z from the generation Z director, to explore our future ruled by young adults, raised by overprotected parents who monitor their child’s activity anytime, anywhere. In Ukraine we say that the first 40 years of childhood are the most difficult in a man's life. And in our story we tell that it needs to have 5 women, a healer and a river to make a responsible man out of a young adult.