The Human Hibernation

Erin awakes to find snow still on the ground. He has come out of hibernation too early. While trudging through the snowy forest in search of his sister, he succumbs to the freezing temperatures. The days grow longer; the snow gives way to mud. The others now wake from hibernation, resume their lives, clear the overgrowth from their homes. Now it is Carla who searches for her brother – to no avail. In this film, a world is explored – snuffling, groping – in which the spheres of humans and animals overlap. Something somnambulistic spreads amongst these occurrences between the zoomorphic and anthropomorphic. To come to terms with her loss, Carla begins to question her fellow human beings about their self-evident practice of winter hibernation and shared awaking in spring. Between meditation and science fiction, this atmospheric, striking debut film from Spanish media artist Anna Cornudella Castro achieves an almost wordless equilibrium between animals, plants and humans – in individual relationships, family structures and in society. The Human Hibernation activates all the senses of this world, be they oppressive or liberating.
by Anna Cornudella Castro
with Clara Muck Dietrich, Demetrius Hollimon, Jane Hubbell, Brian Stevens, Neil O’Neil, Dove, Valentine
Spain 2024 English 90’ Colour World premiere | Debut film

With

  • Clara Muck Dietrich
  • Demetrius Hollimon
  • Jane Hubbell
  • Brian Stevens
  • Neil O’Neil
  • Dove
  • Valentine

Crew

Director Anna Cornudella Castro
Screenplay Anna Cornudella Castro, Lluís Sellarès
Cinematography Arthur Pol Camprubí
Editing Marc Roca Vives
Music Emili Bosch Molina
Sound Laura Tomás Cascalló
Production Design Gal·la Seguí Delgado
Executive Producers Gerard Rodríguez, Frank Lucas, Clara Santaolaya, Pol Cornudella Castro

Anna Cornudella Castro

She graduated in film in 2014 from the Escola Superior de Cinema I Audiovisuals de Catalunya and has worked since then in theatre, film and video art. She has directed music videos and has made video art projects including The Wheel Together with New York artist Eliza Lu Doyle, and Jacob or Self Maintaining.

Filmography

2024 The Human Hibernation

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2024