Staying Put
Staying Put
While his friends are dreaming of a modern and better life in Europe, Abebe travels through ancient Ethiopia, trying to find crucial answers and a way towards a meaningful life. In an observational style, we follow the young Abebe in his personal quest.
The future is uncertain, his journey erratic. The centuries-old scenery of impressive landscapes, monasteries and rock-hewn churches is undisturbed. The reality of daily life and Abebe’s magical dreams merge into each other.
Filmmaker Nico Bunnik shot and developed this film over a period of 5 years together with Abebe and his friends. Close to the bone, from Abebe's perspective we follow him in his thoughts and quest.
Director / Camera / Sound:
Nico Bunnik
Editing:
Nico Bunnik, Marion van der Gun
Cast:
Abebe Efrem Walle
Wogen Tsegaye Endeshaw
Zekarias Biset Kassie
fixer / driver / translator:
Abrham Tsegaye Endeshaw
Producer:
Debun Studio
©2022
Language: Ahmaric, English
length: 127 min
een subsidievrije productie
Budget: €20.000 (crowdfunding and private)
Shot in Ethiopia, 2016-2020
subtitles: English
Now in Filmhuis Den Haag, from October in other cities





'This movie is like a diamond in the rough...'
'Nico Bunnik is not an anthropologist or an ethno-filmmaker, but as a pure guy from The Hague, he invents the entire methodology of Jean Rouch on his own.