The Seven Last Words

The Seven Last Words is a visually poetic, seven-part omnibus film. Each director interprets Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ, crafting cinematic meditations on themes like forgiveness, abandonment, salvation, and reunion. Filmed across diverse settings, from tranquil forests to turbulent skies, the anthology blurs reality and dreamscapes. Through layered, surreal imagery, the directors build a contemplative yet disjointed narrative, inviting viewers to witness life, death, and transcendence as each filmmaker envisions it.

The film’s segments are visually distinct and evoke deep reflection. In one sequence, a young woman free-falls from the sky into the ocean, while in another, a solemn funeral procession moves through an ancient landscape, evoking ritual and reverence. In a poignant scene, archival footage captures the aftermath of Colombia’s Chinita Massacre, overlaying images of mourning and military occupation. Elsewhere, a fisherman navigates both Colombian and Québécois waters, threading personal and cultural histories together. Anchored by the music of the Callino Quartet, The Seven Last Words suggests that each image, like Haydn’s notes, is not a story to be solved but a moment to linger in.

Sofia Bohdanowicz
Filmmaker