The Order of Things

Overview & Synopsis

Produced within the context of doctoral research project at the Centre Norbert Elias (Marseille, France) exploring audiovisual sensory ethnography methods. The scientific research investigates how these methods can articulate alternative epistemologies of anthropological knowledge. "The Order of Things" is an audio-visual anthropological research experiment intertwining the life of Alexandru, an elderly watchmaker in southern Romania, with the buried memories of Romania's communist past. The project delves into Alexandru's daily routines, his interactions at his workshop, and his reflections on the past, particularly his experiences of imprisonment during Romania's communist regime. Through observational filming and dialogue, the project captures the nuances of Alexandru's life, his social interactions, and the historical context that shapes his existence. It seeks to illuminate not only Alexandru's personal journey but also broader themes of time, memory, resilience, and the fragility of human existence within the context of Romanian society and our larger global histories.