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Searching for Satyrus

Play trailer Poster for Searching for Satyrus 2025 1h 41m Documentary Nature Play Trailer Watchlist
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Set in the mountainous borderlands between the warring nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the story follows Rena Effendi, a photographer in pursuit of Satyrus effendi, a rare and critically endangered butterfly named in honor of her father, an enigmatic Soviet entomologist who was absent from her life. He died in 1991, when Rena was just fourteen, amid war and the collapse of the USSR. Rena retraces his old butterfly-hunting routes through what is now a devastated landscape, deep into a remote Caucasus exclave isolated by decades of conflict. The butterfly is known to appear there only once a year, fluttering high over militarized border that people are forbidden to cross. On this journey of discovery, Rena comes closer to her father, confronting the distance between them and coming to terms with his troubled legacy.

Audience Reviews

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Claire M @RT83814881 Aug 23 This is a beautiful film. It blends a very personal story with the ongoing Azerbaijan - Armenia conflict and climate change and most of all reminds us that we are all the same. See more Read all reviews
Searching for Satyrus

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Cast & Crew

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Rena Effendi

Director

Rena Effendi

Self

Rena Effendi

Producer

Lana Slezic

Producer

Matt Fletcher

Producer

Mikhail Galustov

Cinematographer
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Searching for Satyrus

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Movie Info

Synopsis Set in the mountainous borderlands between the warring nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the story follows Rena Effendi, a photographer in pursuit of Satyrus effendi, a rare and critically endangered butterfly named in honor of her father, an enigmatic Soviet entomologist who was absent from her life. He died in 1991, when Rena was just fourteen, amid war and the collapse of the USSR. Rena retraces his old butterfly-hunting routes through what is now a devastated landscape, deep into a remote Caucasus exclave isolated by decades of conflict. The butterfly is known to appear there only once a year, fluttering high over militarized border that people are forbidden to cross. On this journey of discovery, Rena comes closer to her father, confronting the distance between them and coming to terms with his troubled legacy.
Director
Rena Effendi
Producer
Rena Effendi, Lana Slezic, Matt Fletcher
Production Co
The National Geographic Society
Genre
Documentary, Nature
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 41m
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