Already powerful when it was released in 2021, The Roar of Their Engines by Jason Todd and Charles-Émile Lafrance resonates even more strongly today as an unimaginable act of violence unfolds in the occupied Palestinian territory. This documentary essay takes a contemplative look at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a state recognized only by Turkey, and its inhabitants, prisoners of a 50-year-old conflict that has turned portions of the island into veritable time capsules, frozen since 1974.

Impressive archival footage complements images captured with great sensitivity by Jennifer Pitoscia, revealing the remnants of a heavily militarized presence. The constant sound of machines reinforces this unsettling omnipresence and punctuates the soundtrack. "Helicopters and jets passing in the sky, military trucks, war cries, and training sessions, which sometimes even interrupted our filming schedule, to the point that we decided to integrate them into our sound design and make them the centerpiece of our story," write the filmmakers in their notes of intent.

More than a visual and auditory exploration of an isolated and scarred territory, the short film focuses on the humans who inhabit it with great sensitivity. We observe observed as they perform everyday tasks: doing the dishes, raking the garden, playing dice, always against the backdrop of the engine noise they no longer seem to hear. Between resilience and resignation, they say little or almost nothing. The camera studies their aged and tired faces with a certain tenderness, making our sense of helplessness even more poignant.

Ariane Roy-Poirier
General Manager and Programming Director
Plein(s) Écran(s)