Yugoslavian Cinema - Jugoslavenska kinematografija
Movies that earned Academy Awards, Golden Globe Nominations and Palm D'Ors
Hello and welcome to this edition of our Blog, from Čardačani, in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, written by an immigrant (me), as I am neither a tourist or a citizen here.
This week has been busy with a family hosted lunch (food overload but total excellence) and learning about one of the minority communities here in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We have already published a podcast. If you haven’t already listened then simply click below ⬇️
The Vlog and BlogPost ✍🏻 is yet to come.
As I was putting the vlog together, I was telling myself to tell the story in just images and video. No narration.
Difficult. Well it is for me, but I think the finished product will be good. You’ll be the judge of that of course.
Storytelling is important.
That’s why this weeks post is about filmmaking, and in particular film making from my adopted region of the western Balkans (the former Yugoslavia).
Watching movies, in my opinion, is a lot more than entertainment. When made by people from the country or region that the subject matter is about, then you normally get a real glimpse into the soul of that country or region.
My Introduction to Balkan Films
Before coming to the western Balkans I had absolutely no idea that this regions cinema or movie history was so varied, talented, creative.
The first local film I ever saw, which shocked me with its storyline, the composition of its actors playing roles that were not their ethnicity, and brutal dark humour, was the 2001 Academy Winner, “No Man’s Land” (Ničija zemlja), from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦. It shocked me then and shocks me still today, even though I now know that some of the main actors are, were, comedians.
I highly recommend this film.
The Films of the Former Yugoslavia (Ex YU)
Over the past years I have been intrigued in the films made in the ex YU, during the 60s to 80s. These films give an amazing insight into what life was like back then in this region under Titoism, often a reflection of the state of things in the country, but they also expressed originality and creative freedom of many talented individuals.
In fact the former Yugoslavia’s film industry was critically acclaimed and influential.
It also had a following from movie enthusiasts world-wide.
Although I do struggle with the dialogue at times, it doesn’t take any enjoyment away from me while watching these films. I actually prefer my dialogue struggle as English Subtitles take away a huge sense of the meaning being expressed. Plus it seems that there are at least 5 swear words used in most sentences that “non locals” wouldn’t understand literally or contextually.
Jebiga, anyone?
For example, the iconic film “Maratonci Trče Počasni Drug” (The Marathon Family)
As a footnote, one of my favourite watering holes in Banja Luka is МАРАТОН👣Maraton
Do check it out when you visit.
Partisan Film 📽
Partisan film is a subgenre of war films, made iduring the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. In the broadest sense, the main characteristics of partisan films are that they are set in Yugoslavia during World War II and have partisans as the main protagonists, while antagonists are the Axis forces and their collaborators.
To be fair most Partisan films were made by government propagandists.
If I had to chose one as a “Best in Class: example it would be the 1973 “Battle of Sutjeska”, with the late Welsh actor Richard Burton as Josip Broz “Tito”.
The Battle of Sutjeska known as ''Fifth offensive'' is the hardest, most tragic and greatest battle that was led by the Yugoslav Partisans in World War II. Chaos, hell, fates, suffering, heroic deaths and all the tragedy of Sutjeska is described in this phenomenal movie, made for the 30th anniversary of the battle.
It was the most expensive movie in the history of Yugoslav cinema.
Richard Burton met with the real Josip Broz Tito, whom he greatly admired, and agreed to play him in a favorable light in this film. Richard Burton's voice was dubbed by Serbian actor Petar Banićević.
FUN FACTS:
Between his 2 marriages to Elizabeth Taylor, Burton was briefly engaged to Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.
Burton and Taylor holidayed with Marshall Tito on several occasions.
Outside Yugoslavia, Partisan Films were especially popular in China.
The 1972 film Valter brani Sarajevo (Walter defends Sarajevo) is a fictionalized account based on real events when the Nazis battled to control the city, then part of a united Yugoslavia, in World War II. It is one of the most popular overseas films ever screened in China 🇨🇳.
Since its release in 1972 the movie was watched by billions of people. Owing to its immense popularity in China ‘Walter Defends Sarajevo’ became one of the most-watched war films of all time.
The movie – A fictionalised account of the life of Vladimir Perić, known by his nom de guerre ‘Walter’, the leader of a resistance group in Sarajevo from 1943 until his death in the battle to liberate the city on April 6, 1945 – still has a cult status in the countries of former Yugoslavia – and China.
The year it was released in China more than 300 million people went to see it. To this day the movie is still showing on Chinese TV channels.
Children and streets in China were named after the characters from the film, and a beer brand called ‘Walter’ was marketed with Zivojinovic’s picture on the label.
Walter Defends Sarajevo received a favourable response from the Yugoslav audience, especially in Sarajevo itself.
Although it conveyed conservative political messages and stressed the brotherhood and unity of the population in the face of foreign occupation, the film also became a cultural icon for the Yugoslav punk sub-culture.
And Finally
I found this comprehensive film list that I wanted to share with you.
The Top 100 Balkan Film List
Watching movies, in my opinion, is a lot more than entertainment. When made by people from the country or region that the subject matter is about, then you normally get a real glimpse into the soul of that country or region.
By watching just some of the films in this list you’ll get a glimpse into where I live, and maybe you’ll get a better understanding of why.
Would you enjoy a Balkan Themed Film Night?
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Excellent feature very interesting I think it’s movie catch up time 😀take care both of you