THE HUMAN HIBERNATION Discovery

US Premiere

In the harsh, dead of winter, a young boy emerges from a hole in the cold, snow-covered ground. He is part of a community of humans who hibernate through the long winter months but has accidentally woken from his slumber too early. When spring finally arrives, his sister Carla starts to search for his whereabouts. But her journey only raises more questions about their way of life and death and spirituality. With stunning imagery and a profound visual language that offers equal attention to flora, fauna and humans alike, THE HUMAN HIBERNATION breathlessly melds dystopian sci-fi, magical realism and nature documentary to create something wholly original. This utterly enthralling debut feature from Spanish artist and filmmaker Anna Cornudella Castro won the FIPRESCI Critic’s Prize in the boundary-pushing Forum section at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. –Josh Gardner