Justine Abitbol

"I am going on a trip to the US. I want to make a film about my father’s absence. I grew up watching American movies. Over time the characters seemed to resemble my father more and more. During the journey to Montana, I write him letters."

Justine Abitbol’s Chant at Dusk explores the materiality of the outdoors in a muddy ritual played out by four siblings. The protagonist, Helen, grapples with mucky nature, holding close the wings of a little bird, and unearthing worms in her hand. For Abitbol, and for Helen, nature and human interaction within in it is serious and visceral.