Concept Art
"Time is the longest distance between two places."
When The Wind Stops is a cinematic meditation on time, loss, and the silent echoes of human existence. Inspired by the transience of life and the marks we leave behind, the film weaves a poetic narrative about memory and the power of unspoken emotions.
Through stunning visuals and a deeply atmospheric score, When The Wind Stops explores the fragile nature of human connection, capturing the weight of unfulfilled longing and the quiet beauty found in solitude.
The film invites the audience to reflect on the fleeting nature of time, the cycles of grief and acceptance, and the impermanence of the people who shape our lives. In an era of constant noise, this film stands as a whisper—subtle, haunting, and profoundly moving.
On a quiet, windswept shore, an elderly man places two chairs side by side—one for himself, the other for someone who will never return. Every year, at the same time, he sits and waits. The tides rise and fall, and strangers pass by, each pausing to watch, listen, or simply continue walking, indifferent to the ritual unfolding before them.
Some stop to ask questions, drawn in by the air of longing that lingers around the man. He tells them stories—of love, of war, of things lost to time. Some leave changed, others remain unaffected. But one day, the man does not return. The chairs remain empty, facing the endless horizon.
Then, unexpectedly, another figure appears. A younger man, carrying the weight of his own losses, places the chairs back where they belong, and sits. The cycle continues. The waves crash, the wind howls, and the past whispers through the echoes of those who are gone, but never forgotten.
Oleksii Sorokoliet is the writer and director of When The Wind Stops, a deeply personal film about memory, time, and the unseen connections that shape our lives. His journey into filmmaking is one marked by resilience, transformation, and an unshakable desire to tell stories that matter.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Oleksii pursued his passion for storytelling at the Kyiv University of Culture and Arts, where he specialized in directing and screenwriting for dramatic theater and cinema. However, life had other plans for him. When war came to his homeland, he set aside his creative ambitions and enlisted in the military. During his service, he faced the harshest realities of human existence, experiencing both the camaraderie of brotherhood and the depths of loss.
Amid the chaos of war, Oleksii found moments of quiet reflection. He realized that stories—whether written, spoken, or captured on film—are what endure beyond the noise of conflict. After sustaining an injury in combat, he made the difficult decision to leave military service, seeking a new path that would allow him to honor both his past and his dreams.
Relocating to the United States, he set out to fulfill his lifelong passion: filmmaking. When The Wind Stops is his first major independent project, a film that embodies everything he has lived through—the passage of time, the weight of unspoken memories, and the impermanence of human presence. Through stunning visuals and a poetic narrative, Oleksii invites audiences to listen to the wind, to the whispers of those who came before, and to the echoes of stories yet to be told.
This film is not just a work of art; it is a reflection of a journey—a story of survival, reinvention, and the pursuit of meaning in a world that never stops moving.
“A breathtaking meditation on time and human connection.”
- Indie Film Review
“Visually stunning, emotionally profound.”
- Film Critic Weekly
“A masterpiece in visual storytelling.”
- Cinematic Arts Magazine
“A deeply moving piece that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.”
- The Hollywood Observer
The soundtrack of *When The Wind Stops* is an emotional journey through sound. Each composition reflects different moments in the film—grief, nostalgia, hope, and acceptance. The haunting piano melodies and ambient soundscapes immerse the listener in the fragile nature of time and memory.
Memory's Echo
A melancholic piano piece that echoes the film’s themes of longing and remembrance.