This is the stuff that Carnegie Awards are made of: a beautifully crafted, lyrical story about the nomadic life of a father and son who come to stay on the outskirts of a village. Here they remain outsiders while attracting a great deal of interest for reasons Peter (the son) cannot understand.

Tomas, his father, is a heavy drinker who shares his life with his son but not his secret past. As the story unfolds we learn that it is only Tomas, with his special warrior’s sword, who can help to save the community from being overwhelmed by the nosferatu or moroii. Adamant that he has left his past behind, Tomas refuses to be drawn in and turns, instead, to the bottle.

Yet slowly we see a breakdown in his resistance. With this change comes hope for the future of the community as well as recognition of the deep-seated bond between father and son. The resolution is touchingly depicted and brings closure of a most satisfying kind.