Third DocuCorner Discussion

The third DocuCorner discussion was held yesterday. Guests were the authors of films “A Hero for Our Time”, Šeki Radončić and “My Mate Manchester United”, Stefan Valdobrev. Rada Šešić, Sarajevo Film Festival’s documentary film programmer and members of the jury addressed the activists, alongside the authors.

The discussion with Šeki Radončić centered on the freedom of the press. He also talked about the personal ordeals he suffered because of his film. The author, who has been arrested because of his research, said that by criticizing a hero, he actually criticized the entire brotherhood and a part of the system involved in war crimes. Since Šeki Radončič is also a journalist, the discussion frequently focused on the responsibility of journalists and their profession. The author said that, as a journalist, he adheres to “the holy rule” of doubting everything, primarily heroes.

The second film, “My Mate Manchester United”, triggered the issue of identity in post-transitional societies. Valdobrev said that his intention was to make the audience laugh together with the main protagonist, not to laugh at him or mock him. “The biggest problem is being able to confess to oneself who one really is and who one wishes to be. I am an actor and I can understand this man” the author said. Since the audience was still influenced by Mila Turajlić’s film “Cinema Komunisto”, and since Bulgaria was a socialist country, the author answered the question of his relationship towards the former regime. He said to have lived like “in a golden cage”, he missed his freedom. “I choose this time over that, but there is always some nostalgia” he said closing the discussion.

You can see a part of the atmosphere from the yesterday’s DocuCorner here.