aka DOINA GROPARILOR

a documentary film by Pavel Cuzuioc / 2011 / 55 Min. / HBO Production

SYNOPSIS

A cemetery is not a forbidden place. However, this is not an area where most people prefer to spend their time. The only living inhabitants of a cemetery are the gravediggers. Be it winter, spring, summer or fall – the concerns of the diggers always remain the same. They dig and they bury. They seem to lack fear and sensibility. They are immune to tears and lamentations. One of the living “ghosts” at “Doina” Cemetery is Ms. Eleonora. She’s been making arrangements for her funeral for ten years now, although she’s only 62, healthy and sober. This preoccupation is part of her culture.

The St. Lazarus Cemetery or “Doina” (as everyone calls it) from Chisinau, Republic of Moldova is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe, two million square meters, the place were both camps meet: Gravediggers and Ms. Eleonora – the only Big Mystery binding them – Death.