Director: Linda Västrik

Forest of the Dancing Spirits

“In the beginning, women lived apart, unaware of the existence of men. Until one day, when the first woman, Toli, who was brave and adventurous traveled deep into the forest. Toli discovered solitary creatures with big muscles who knew how to climb trees and harvest wild honey. When Toli tasted their honey, she thought they should all live together….” That is how one of the creation stories of the Aka people from the tropical rainforest of the Congo Basin goes. Akaya, Kengole, Dibota and their friends and family are hunters-gatherers (and also great story-tellers) who guide us through their world. They explain their origins, myths, and the very spiritual meaning of life.

Dad & Me

Linda Västrik's personal documentary about her father who has been unwilling for most of her life to remain in contact, and suggests there may be a chance that she is not his biological daughter. This prompts Linda to insist on a DNA test, which sets in motion a frustrating process of connecting with her elusive father, and convincing him of the importance of such a test.