Synopsis

The film is a visual reflection on the “extinction” of Moldova’s bazaars. Once vibrant and thriving, these bustling spaces are now steadily vanishing, replaced by sterile modern infrastructures, like supermarkets, that fragment ecologies and isolate communities. Bazar Închis captures the poignant metamorphosis of these communal hubs, uncovering the loneliness and disconnection left in their absence. Through the voices and stories of bazaar dwellers, the film explores how the loss of these spaces transforms not only consumption patterns but also the very fabric of collective life. As these spaces fade into memory, we are left to wonder what will become of the human and nonhuman connections that once brought these bazaars to life.

Biography

Arcadie Botnaru is a transdisciplinary practitioner and emerging film director based in Chișinău, Moldova. With a background in education and mental health, Arcadie’s work examines the interplay between human and non-human relationships and the profound transformations they undergo in the Capitalocene era. Marked by a reflective tone, his films delve into the destabilization of social, mental, and environmental ecologies caused by these shifts. Through his storytelling, Arcadie creates contemplative spaces that invite viewers to critically engage with these complexities, fostering deeper awareness and a commitment to more equitable ways of living and relating.