The Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Federal Republic of Germany organized a screening of the film “Blum: Masters of Their own Destiny” by renowned BiH director Jasmila Žbanić in Berlin last night, which was attended by numerous ambassadors and heads of missions accredited in Berlin, members of the Bundestag, representatives of German ministries and other institutions, and citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region.
After the screening, a discussion with director Žbanić was organized, as well as a reception for guests. This was the first screening of this documentary film in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Germany announced.
During the conversation with the audience, director Žbanić emphasized that Blum represents a testimony not only about the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also about its potential, which is currently difficult to realize due to the expensive and complicated constitutional order, numerous discriminatory solutions, as well as attacks on Bosnia and Herzegovina coming from neighboring countries. She also emphasized the responsibility of the international community and individual countries for this situation, as well as the need to cooperate with progressive and democratic forces and reject policies and politicians, both within BiH and in the neighborhood, who work for divisions or otherwise threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
Ambassador Damir Arnaut, who participated in the audience discussion with Žbanić, emphasized that this film is not just a story about one person and one company, but that it largely represents the story of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its true multicultural and anti-fascist character, but also its achievements and opportunities, the destruction of which was attempted by aggression against our country, genocide, as well as the eliticide that was an integral part of the plan for the destruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As highlighted, the heinous and planned murder of Hakija Turajlić, one of the key people of Energoinvest, is just one example of this strategy.
The interaction of numerous ambassadors after the screening was a confirmation of the global reputation of this BiH industrial giant, and the Mexican Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany emphasized the investments and joint projects that Energoinvest had made in his country during the time of Emerik Blum. The Ambassador of Chile, in turn, emphasized the importance of artistic projects for the education of younger generations, and compared this film to some that described the history and achievements of that South American country in a similarly effective way.
Director Žbanić also introduced the audience to her current project – Quo Vadis, Aida – the missing part – and the challenges she faces in securing financial resources for the realization of the sequel to the film that was nominated for an Oscar and was declared the best European film in 2022.
“This project is inspired by the immense courage and perseverance of the women of Srebrenica, but it also represents a warning to the whole world about what happens when institutions fail, when those who should provide protection turn their backs,” she said.
During the reception, Arnaut and Žbanić spoke with numerous guests about these issues, but also about the topic of animating support in the Federal Republic of Germany for this project.
