The Caregiver

Salix Caprea (“Goat Willow” tree) is the type of tree that was supposed to cover a large meadow area in a small village in the Republic of Moldova. As part of a donation from foreign investors, a couple of thousands of trees were planted by the Americans. After a couple of years, during a visit along with delegation from the state, they wanted to see the growth of the trees. In a comedic investigation, the mayor and the police officer discovered the area all empty and the “goat willow” trees were all gone, eaten by…the goats.

When a simple boundary dispute between two neighboring households escalates, a quiet Moldovan village is drawn into a chain of comic conflicts fueled by pride, old grudges, and half-told truths.

Moldova in the early 90s: Dima, a tractor driver, wants to be enrolled in the military troops to take part in the local war on the Transnistrian border. Vasea, an Afghan war veteran, joins him. While on their way to the front, they find a carbonized body. The authorities ignore them and won't help them to identify the body. Dima and Vasea decide to bury the corpse according to the proper Christian rituals, but not before setting out, together with the body, on an absurd journey to discover his identity.

In his fight for justice, Andrei resorts to some methods that are not exactly legal. What will be the price he has to pay in order to get what he wants?

A talented pianist and his 8-year-old son struggle to find a place to sell vegetables at the biggest market in Moldova's 2000'. When the father seems to give up under the burden of his precarious existence, a gesture from his son brings new hope.