Vodka- and Rakia-based Movies Hitting the Global Market
By Malwina Grochowska

Every aspect of Eastern European film production as well as the situation of this region's industry in general was the subject of the panel "East and West – Home is Best". It gave us an opportunity to have a closer look at what's going on in the film industry of post Soviet countries, especially the Baltic region and the Balkans. The professionals discussed shooting, writing and producing movies there.

Like in all the smaller film markets, the dilemma between staying local and making international co-productions is always there. Does the lack of film funds in their home countries and the search for money outside prevent Eastern European filmmakers telling local stories? "We find it possible to keep our national identity while working together with foreigner co-producers", said Stefan Kitanov, a producer from Bulgaria, whose movie Gucha (Gucha — Distant Trumpet) had its successful world premiere a day before at Berlinale's Panorama Section. This German-Serbian-Bulgarian-Austrian co-production, set in a small town in Serbia, introduces the viewer to a fascinating world of gypsy brass orchestras while also telling a love story between a Romany boy and a Slavic girl.

Without any doubt Eastern European movies, which have lately had a big international success, were also devoted to specific regional problems, like Grbavica, which won last year's Golden Bear Award. "We have a lot of stories to tell. The Balkan war and its consequences still delivers important subjects which we have to face", said Ognjen Svilicic, a writer and a director from Croatia. "On the other hand the most important parts of the film are always people, not history", added Riina Sildos, who is producing movies in the Baltic countries. "For us it's essential to be able to talk about as many aspects of ordinary people's everyday lives as possible. That's why quantity counts as well, not only quality".

Of course Eastern Europe doesn't build a monolith, every country has its own specific culture. Can one compare Baltic's conditions of movie making with those of the Balkans? For Riina, "calm, slow stories" define her region in the best way. According to Kitanov the difference is that "North Eastern European cinema is more connected with vodka and the South with rakia".

When it comes to Eastern European movies, sooner or later, the question always comes up: Why are they so depressing? Trying not to generalize too much, Campus' guests came up with original comments on this subject. Like Ognjen Svilicic, who stated: "Let's say my movies are depressive. Maybe it's because I'm a depressive, not because I'm an East European."

Although admitting the typical depressive Slavic mentality¸ panelists came to some optimistic conclusions. So hopefully next year we can expect even more hits from Eastern Europe at the Berlinale.

Malwina Grochowska

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