Once in Belarus…

Let me be 100% honest with you. When my short documentary was selected for a Film Festival in Minsk, Belarus, my first thought was: Where is Belarus?

I know it's bad. It proves that as a journalist I have zero geography knowledge but keep in mind that I am from Brazil and Belarus is so far, far, far away… that my no sense of direction and geography orientation should be forgiven.

Saying that; What can I say about this place?

First of all, you need an invitation and Visa to visit the country and the police control at Minsk airport is very restrict. Myself, Gianluca de Girolamo (2nd camera) and @ericoliveira (my brother and photographer) spent two hours at the airport to get the final approval.

The film festival organiser said that the police thought we were looking very suspicious. :-)

After few hours, Abner Harris (the main character of my documentary) joined us. Everybody at the airport already knew about him and for which reason he was visiting the country. He was accepted too and we started our journey in this fantastic place.

Gianluca, Abner and Myself - Photo by @ericoliveira

Everybody that we met in Minsk were super friendly and helpful. We had good and cheap food, we went to great parties and learned a lot about Belarus history.

You can read a bit more in my blog:

http://marcelli.co.uk/en/the-unforgettable-belarus/

Myself, Abner and Gianluca - Photo by @ericoliveira

Visiting Minsk was an unique experience and I was super happy to get the email a month after saying that my documentary won People Choice Award. That was the first Award I even won in life!

In this post I am sharing with you three photos taken by @ericoliveira He is here on Steemit too so check his profile and follow him.

Abner, Gianluca and Myself leaving for the film festival - Photo by @ericoliveira

Now I’ve got to go because I am editing my second documentary and I am hoping to win another Cool Award as the one from Minsk!

Check it out my Award! Isn't it great? - photo by @marcelli

One love @marcelli