Europe's Backyard

Europe’s Backyard documents the lives of four women from former Soviet Republic Moldovia, each at a crossroads in their lives, and struggling to survive in the poorest nation in Eastern Europe.

A 22 year-old student nurse struggles to live on 35 euros ($50) a month. An 82 year-old woman longs for the bygone era of the Soviet Union. A middle-aged woman holds a unique belief about the identity of most powerful man in her country. And a 6 year-old girl lives in a world of her own creation.  

These four have vastly different futures in a country struggling to emerge from the Soviet shadow. Norwegian director Ida Kleppe’s candid documentary presents the tough choices they must make, and the influences of their society, friends and family, as some choose to emigrate to better life in Scandinavia.

Playing with Kings of Oslo

Print Source: Norwegian Film Institute, knut.skinnarmo@nfi.no