In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Virpi Suutari, Director of Once Upon A Time In A Forest, which is screening at Docs Ireland (18 – 23 June 2024). A modern fairy tale in the enchanting embrace of the Finnish forest makes its Irish premiere. We witness young people seamlessly woven into the fabric of nature, swimming in crystalline lakes and revelling in the calm presence of the ancient trees. This idyllic harmony is imperilled as the forest faces man-made extinction. Driven by her love for the forest, 22-year-old Ida becomes the leader of the new Forest Movement, coming face to face with Finnish forest industry giants and confronting generational bias. Breathtaking visuals take viewers into the heart of the forest and the centre of the conflict. The film is a hopeful ode to nature and its protectors. A film both peaceful and inspiring, it successfully evokes the complex feelings that are very common in a generation that is living with the heavy consequences of it’s ancestor’s actions. Once Upon A Time In A Forest screens as part of the Maysles Brothers observational documentary competition on 20th June 2024 at Docs Ireland. Tickets https://queensfilmtheatre.com/Whats-On/Once-Upon-a-Time-in-a-Forest See the full programme https://docsireland.ie/programme/whats-on/ https://filmireland.net/