Nestled by the banks of the Soča River, the village of Anhovo carries a legacy buried beneath layers of history and dust. More than 100 years ago, an asbestos cement factory was built. Through shifting wars, regimes, and borders from fascism, socialism, and capitalism. From Italy, Yugoslavia, to Slovenia, the factory endured. It gave people jobs, homes and hope. But soon, it began to take their breath, their health, and eventually, their lives. Today, it is still belching smoke, as time stands still under the White Veil. The film gives voice to those silenced by progress and asks what remains when the skies clear.
Filmmaker details: Žiga Ciber
Žiga Ciber, born in Slovenia and based in Ireland, is a student at the National Film School of Ireland at IADT | Institute of Art, Design, and Technology. By profession, he is a Pharmacy Technician and holds a degree from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, majoring in Power Engineering. His thesis, titled “An examination of the existing state of environmental parameters in archives of the Slovenian Cinematheque and a proposal for appropriate air conditioning of the depots,” allowed him to combine his engineering background with his passion for cinema. In 2021, he completed an internship at the Austrian Film Museum, where he was involved in the full process of film restoration and preservation. During this time, he also prepared plans for the appropriate air conditioning of the museum’s new depots. His first year film at the National Film School, Losing My Body, has so far received multiple international awards and has been screened at the (BAFTA qualifying) Bolton International Film Festival and the (BAFTA qualifying) Aesthetica Short Film Festival. His second year project, White Veil, had its world premiere at the (OSCAR qualifying) INTERFILM – 41st International Short Film Festival Berlin, was selected for the curated programme at DOK Film Market (DOK Leipzig), and was an Official Selection at the 48th Poitiers Film Festival.