Help us launch the documentary "Garden of Eden"

We are two students who have made a documentary about the life of Imrich - a man with a love for nature who is processing the loss of his magnum opus. Help us immortalise Imrich's legacy and cover expenses associated with the release of the film.

  • Imrich - the protagonists

  • Imrich's garden

  • Imrich planting pepper

  • Hay making

  • Imrich in his home village

  • Reminiscing about childhood

  • In the tall grass

  • 2022's crisis

  • A thank you letter

  • A piece of land

  • A3 poster

EUR 4,322
pledged of EUR 3,974

108%

108% completed

69 contributors pledged

Film, Art

All or nothing. Project finished on May 16, 2023 at 14:54.

Show all rewards

Sometimes you have to reap what you did not sow...

An intimate documentary portrait of an old man coming to terms with his own mortality and slowly letting go off his magnum opus – his garden. While living through an autumn of his life, he reminisces about the lifetime journey filled with hard work, love for nature and onions.

Film's story

"That was ages ago. When I was still young and beautiful... now I'm just beautiful."

- Imrich Špitálský

Fifty years ago, Imrich rented a small property near Ústí nad Orlicí in a gardening allotment. Back then it was naught but a swamp overgrown with weeds. Coming from southern region of Slovakia where the land meant sustenance, Imrich dedicated the majority of his life to cultivation of his garden which become his passion.

Spring to winter, year after year he took care of it and lead the gardener’s board. Meanwhile the time brought children, grandchildren and a change of regime. After the revolution, the property become a part of church restitutions and every attempt to purchase it was met with hostile resistance. Imrich was devastated, but still continued in his gardening efforts.

In his fight he has to face weather, pests, owners of the land and worsening health. Is there a chance Imrich will give up the garden in his old age and sell it, or will this piece of land become his fate?

A documentary film offers an intimate portrait of aging person with love for nature coming to terms with his own mortality and loss of his magnum opus. In the meantime, he reminisces about his youth, humours with his wife and takes pride in every little success and accomplishment which the land and life grant him.

What is our goal?

As filmmakers, we are interested in powerful stories and want to capture and preserve them in an artistic way. Since Imrich's chances of preserving his life's work are slim, we wish this film to be a kind of continuation of his legacy. We think he was a man with a unique personality and we want to reflect that side of him in our film.

Who are we?

The director Michal is Imrich's grandson and has been with the story from the very beginning. When he told his professors about the story in his first year studying film at Northumbria University, he was encouraged to start shooting the story the same Christmas of that year, taking the film as his final project.

His long-time partner Kuba, with whom they had made short films in high school, joined Michal in the production. Kuba took on the role of producer and sound designer, while Michal was left to direct and camera.

For the third time they were joined by Sam, a graduate of the Leeds Conservatoire, who lent his compositional skills to the music to suitably illustrate the film's story.

What's the situation with the film?

The documentary is now entering the final stage of production - the last scene remains to be shot. Six months of going through hours of footage and long evenings in the editing suite. We'll need lots of coffee for that! With exaggeration, of course. Anyway, the success of the crowdfunding will allow us to dedicate ourselves to this final film to the fullest.

We want to release the film to the world this summer!

Why Hithit and what are the money for?

We decided to crowdfund because we believe that we can reach out to film fans in the audience and give people a chance to make their mark on film history. We also hope, as the power of the word is great, that funding through crowdfunding will take our story much further than we could have done on our own.

As students, we have funded the project with our own money up until now, but our resources are not unlimited. We will use the funds raised from the campaign to cover the costs of post-production and subsequent distribution of the film. We also want to submit the film to as many film festivals around the world as possible, so part of the funds will go towards paying the submission fees.

We definitely want to continue our film production and we plan to use the remaining funds to partially cover the cost of the film equipment we have had to borrow so far.

Are you with us?

We will be immensely grateful if you decide to support us. As a thank you, we have prepared a line of rewards to perpetuate your support. Donors who contribute 400 CZK or more will have their name displayed on the film's official website www.zahrada-bozi.cz. Help us launch our film out into the world to preserve Imrich's legacy!

Physical rewards

Thank you letter: you will receive a letter in your mailbox signed by us and the protagonist, thanking you personally for your contribution. You will be able to frame and display the letter, for instance.

A3 poster: The poster will be signed by us and the protagonist and you will be able to display it on your wall.

A piece of land: We will send you a small transparent box with soil from Imrich's garden. Along with it, a small certificate of authenticity and a photo of Imrich scooping the soil. You will be able to display the piece of soil or grow something in it to continue Imrich's legacy.

   

News

May 27, 2023 How it's done? Part 1: Sound

Did you know that most of the sounds you hear in a movie on TV are made in post-production? Dialogue tends to be recorded on location and sound recordists try to capture the ambient noises, but they don't always manage to capture everything. Yes, most of the sounds of footsteps, rain, fire and gun…

More

May 21, 2023 The project was funded successfully!

Dear film fans, When we started filming three years ago, we never imagined that we would ever intend to turn a small undergraduate project into a feature-length documentary and successfully raise over 100,000 CZK to complete it. We are extremely grateful to all of you! Yes, to each and every one o…

More

Comments

Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 20
    Just for fun

    For those who want to contribute just for the feel-good factor. :)

    The reward contains nothing. You are free to increase it depending on how much you want to contribute.

    Reward delivery: not specified

    EUR 3.97
    (CZK 100)
  • sold 21
    Digital film

    When the film is finished, you will receive a link from us to watch it.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film

    We will deliver the film to you by e-mail.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 9.93
    (CZK 250)
  • sold 1
    I want my name on the web!

    We'll put your name in the "Contributors" section of the film's website so you'll be written into history!
    You will also receive the film in digital form when it is completed.

    Includes:
    - A link to the film
    - name on the website

    We will deliver the film to you by e-mail. The name will appear on our website!

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.90
    (CZK 400)
  • sold 8
    A thank you letter

    You will receive a thank you letter from us signed by the authors and the protagonist, so that you have your contribution "in black and white".
    It also includes previous rewards - digital film and a name on the site.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the website
    - a thank you letter in your mailbox

    The film will be delivered to you by e-mail. The letter will be sent to you by post, the cost of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.87
    (CZK 500)
  • sold 0
    A thank you letter + POSTER

    In addition to a letter of thanks, you will also receive a colour A3 poster signed by the authors and the protagonist.

    It contains:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the website
    - thank you letter
    - signed A3 poster

    The film will be delivered to you by e-mail. Rewards will be delivered to you by parcel post. The price of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 31.79
    (CZK 800)
  • sold 3
    A thank you letter + PIECE OF LAND

    In addition to a thank you letter, you will receive a piece of soil from Imrich's garden in a box! Put it on display or grow something in it! 
    It also includes previous rewards - digital film and a name on the website.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the web
    - thank you letter
    - "piece of land"


    The film will be delivered to you by e-mail. Rewards will be delivered to you by parcel post. The price of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 31.79
    (CZK 800)
  • sold 8
    ALL PHYSICAL REWARDS

    You will receive a thank you letter, a signed A3 colour poster and a piece of soil from Imrich's garden in a box!
    It also includes previous rewards - digital film and a name on the website.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the website
    - thank you letter
    - a signed A3 poster
    - "piece of land"

    We will deliver the film to you by e-mail. Rewards will be delivered to you by parcel post. The price of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.74
    (CZK 1,000)
  • remaining 37 from 40
    PRE-SCREENING ticket

    You will receive one ticket to the pre-screening of the film, which will take place in the Small Stage in Ústí nad Orlicí (Czech Republic) this summer.

    We will inform you about the date if the campaign is successful.
    If you are unable to attend the preview, we will be happy to make time for you at another date.


    At the preview you will be able to see the finished film and chat with us and other film fans.
    You will also receive all physical rewards from us in a gift bag at the pre-screening and digital rewards.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the website
    - a thank you letter
    - a signed A3 poster
    - "piece of land"
    - ticket for the pre-screening

    Your ticket will be sent to you by post. You will receive the rest of the rewards on the spot! The price of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.48
    (CZK 2,000)
  • remaining 17 from 20
    TWO PRE-SCREENING tickets

    You will receive two tickets to the pre-screening of the film, which will take place in the Small Stage in  Ústí nad Orlicí (Czech Republic) this summer.

    We will inform you about the date if the campaign is successful.
    If you are unable to attend the preview, we will be happy to make time for you at another date.


    At the preview you will be able to see the finished film and chat with us and other film fans.
    You will also receive all physical rewards from us in a gift bag at the pre-screening and digital rewards.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name on the website
    - a thank you letter
    - a signed A3 poster
    - "piece of land"
    - ticket for the pre-screening

    Your ticket will be sent to you by post. You will receive the rest of the rewards on the spot! The price of postage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 119.21
    (CZK 3,000)
  • sold 5
    Become a SPONSOR!

    We will place your name (or company logo) with the other sponsors before the closing credits as a special thank you.
    It will also appear on the posters and on the website in the "For Your Support" section.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - name / logo on the website in the "With a support from" section
    - name / logo before the closing credits
    - name / logo on the posters in the '"Sponsors" section

    The film will be e-mailed to you.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 198.69
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    Become a GENERAL PARTNER!

    Do you want to make a significant contribution to the making of the film?
    The general partner of the film gets the opportunity to insert their name (company logo) before the beginning of the film, right after the authors' logos.
    You will also get a say at the film's pre-screening, for which you will receive two tickets.
    Your name or logo will also appear on the website and posters in the "general partner" section.

    Includes:
    - a link to the film
    - a thank you letter
    - a signed A3 poster
    - "piece of land"
    - 2 tickets for the pre-screening
    - name / logo on the website in the "General Partner" section
    - name / logo before the film itself
    - name / logo on the posters in the "General Partner" section

    Tickets will be sent to you by mail. You will receive the rest of the rewards on the spot! The price of postage within the Czech Republic and Slovakia is included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 397.38
    (CZK 10,000)