I was always fascinated by independent media and the type of art that comes to life when artists have a vision, but not millions of budget dollars. I always believed that a part of the director is always hidden in his or her creation, and I made it a hobby to read (auto)biographies and see whether real life appears in art, and how much of his or her heart a director left in the project. This was my first time meeting the person behind the camera so I recently met up with Vancouver-based director Boris Malagurski, a Canadian-Serbian director and the mastermind behind his latest documentary, Kosovo|Can You Imagine?
For readers unfamiliar with the situation in Kosovo, it has historically been a very important part of Serbia, with strong cultural and religious symbolism. Until its very recent independence proclamation, Kosovo was an autonomous Serbian pr
ovince bordering with Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. The UN Security Council Resolution 1244 dated June 10, 1999 reaffirms “the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia [now two independent nations: Serbia and Montenegro] and the other States in the region[…]”. It has an Albanian ethnic majority, and by some it is considered Serbian holy land, because of a long history and many Christian Orthodox monasteries which are important to the Serbian national identity. In 1999, after obtaining information of Serbia’s human rights abuses in Kosovo, NATO bombed Belgrade for 78 days and since the end of the attack, Kosovo became UN-administered until its secession from Serbia in February 2008, with recognition from 53 out of 192 UN-recognized states to date.
Malagurski’s movie focuses on the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo and documents the struggles of the very few remaining Serbs in Kosovo. Malagurski’s movie presents a side of the human crisis, which is seldom shown in the Western media. I asked him a few questions, hoping to get a better understanding of his latest creation and the silently continuing issue.
Why did you choose to make a movie about Kosovo?
Malagurski: I believe that this is a very important current event which is unfortunately inadequately covered from a human rights perspective. I have been following the situation in Kosovo and Metohija for quite a while, and when the provisional government declared independence, I felt that I had to investigate whether all the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija had the same rights, as it is said in many UN reports. Although I expected Western sources to differ from reality, I never expected to find people living in ghettos in the 21st century in Europe just because some people [Serbs, Roma, others] do not belong to the majority ethnic group [Albanians].
What is the responsibility of the international community regarding the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo and what is the role of your film in this?
Malagurski: The situation is similar to a dog chasing a car. Once the dog reaches the car, it doesn’t know what to do with it. After a massive anti-Yugoslavian campaign and the bombing of its citizens to take control over Kosovo and Metohija, the international community was not prepared for the consequences or to deal with the chaos in the province. Security forces were given unrealistic and absurd protection limitations, and non-Albanians were evacuated because there was no authorization to protect them and their properties. From a historical perspective, the collective responsibility for the problems in Kosovo rests with everyone partially. The unpreparedness of the international community to discard failed strategies and to encourage non-Albanian minorities to return to their homes and protect them from harm really surprises me.
My movie has the role of a shock-therapy session. We all know that everything we see on the mainstream news channels passes through many filters before we actually see it. My movie has not been subjected to any filters. It is a realistic depiction of the reality in Kosovo, and it is meant for those who are not familiar with the situation, or those who have understood it improperly, regardless of whether it was because of misinformation caused by the media or simple disinterest. The movie is also not a political film. Those who yearn to characterize the Kosovo situation as a political matter are going to be disappointed after watching the film since it focuses on human rights.
What is the role of the artist and/or the director when bringing a message to the audience?
Malagurski: The main responsibility is the credibility and reliability of information covered in the film. The stories and facts in this movie are entirely true, but because of those who try to discredit any information from a Serbian national by accusing him or her of spreading propaganda, I have interviewed some respected Canadians such as Retired Major General Lewis MacKenzie, James Bissett (the former Canadian Ambassador to Yugoslavia), and Michel Chossudovsky (Canadian economist and economics Professor at the University of Ottawa). Furthermore, the role of a director is to use actual facts to form convincing arguments. After watching this movie, there shouldn’t be anyone who can say that human rights abuses in Kosovo aren’t a reality. I also feel that I have a duty to present the facts and arguments in a creative and contemporary manner.
Can progressive media help reconcile Serbs and Albanians; is there a mutually beneficial solution to this problem?
Malagurski: As with all other peoples in the Balkans, external powers influenced and impacted Serbs and Albanians. People must liberate themselves from the weight of history and accept that we are essentially the same, that we should celebrate our differences, and not go to war because of them. Canada, for instance, teaches these principles to its people. The peoples of the Balkans could learn a lot from the Canadian example where a large number of ethnic groups live in peace and prosperity. Progressive media is a good start for ending ethnic conflicts in Kosovo and Metohija. People need to accept that there is no alternative to living together and that local politicians, who are under pressure from outside forces, are not interested in peace and prosperity but in tension and conflict, which keeps them in power. Jimmy Hendrix once said: “when the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
Regardless of which side you are supporting, Malagurski’s movie offers a different perspective that is virtually unknown to most Canadians. For the trailer, questions and more information, visit the official site, www.kosovo-film.com.
January 27, 2009
Thank you for exposing this tragic and criminal act of cultural genocide
against the multi-ethnic republic of dear Serbia and our Kosovo Metohija.
January 29, 2009
This is exactly what we need, somebody to stand up and tell the truth.
Thank you Boris in the name of Serbs all around the world, that watch their fellow Serbs in Kosovo, murdered, raped, beaten, our Churches demolished and we can’t do anything about it. I hope that the doc. gets the publicity it deserves.
God bless you!
February 9, 2009
I hope Michael Igantieff sees this. But I doubt it. He was one of the most vocal proponents of the bombing of Serbia and its civilian infrastrucrture. And all under the guise of “humanitarian Intervention”. Orwellian doublespeak if I ever heard at term. Where is he now? Why isn’t Ignatieff demanding “humanitarian intervention” for the Kosovo Serbs living in ghettos and terrorized each day? This is a horrific double sdtandard. Ignatieff and his like of “do good” warmongers should be ashamed.
February 16, 2009
First of All, This Article is written by Anita whom is a Serbian - Canadian journalist, Scott Taylor also is a journalist married to a Serbian of course he will be on Serbia’s side and last but not least this movie is m ade by a Serbian and of course it will be against Albanians so anyone smart watching this movie will of course know that unless it was made by Americans then it’d be a different story. SO, you speak of us when you have no idea what Serbia’s done to us. What did you expect, that’s what war is, we faught back, hardest we could, when you burned our homes, cut off people and pregnant women and took the kid out of their stomach and baked it, is that all normal to you because being at the time a young child, those images still haunt me, you think that was ok for Slobodan to do, no, and yes Albanian did kill Serbians to, like any war we tried to stop the war, Serbia commited a Genocide, did Kosovo ALbanians go to war with any our neighbours no be we did not, only century’s ago with Turkey whom they tried to do same thing as Serbia, whereas, Serbia you did the Same thing to Bosnia and Croatia even worse, you wanted it all and ended up with nothing and now your trying to make a so called movie trying to convince the world on your side, well its way too late, the strongest and powerful nations in the world are in our side and willing to make our life better when you only destoyed us, but you know what Serbia tried to break us, but in the end they broke themselfes us and the world hates them and well guess what, Kosovo is still standing after all the trauma, turmoil and torture and genocide you’ve done and tomorrow we are celbrating the 1st Anniversary today and its our time to shine and be heard, and we all know that Milosevic killed himself because he was too close of being exposed so he took his secrets with him. And you talk about Serbs living in ghetto’s, every country in the world has that. What about Albanians if you go in Drenica,they destored their homes, their homes are like half snow goes in and all that because Milosevic bombed them, that is very stupid of you to mention, if they dont like thier life there why do they not move to serbia then? Every country has ghettos, Canada does, ur saying Vancouver don’t have ghettos or halifax or new york, every country does, All of Serbia is made out of money they robbed from Kosovo Albanians and now you’re crying a river, well I couldnt be happier, now you see what’s it like to be left with nothing.
February 16, 2009
perhaphs boris should’ve watched the documentary of Lous arbour where she disvoers Serbs mvoing bodies away from Kosovo during the ‘99 war and placing them in Serbia, hiding them so the UN does not know jsut how bad serbs are, and i do feel bad for you that are still stuck in the past. KOsova and Serbia are only aa History, tomorrow yes its a mistory but it will be a\individually, thanks best wishes from
The Republic of Kosovo, i do lvie in canada though lol
February 17, 2009
Dear Arta of Kosovo,
I would like to thank you for reading my interview and commenting.
First of all, I am most certainly not Serbian, nor Serbian-Canadian. My ethnicity regarding this story is irrelevant, but if it helps our curious readers, I am from Bosnia and Herzegovina, my father being an ethnic Croat and my mom being an ethnic Serb (with no connection to Serbia), both from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since you say you are from Kosovo, you are familiar with the way ethnicity works for the majority of the peoples of the Balkans: children inherit the father’s name, religion and ethnicity - and by that logic, I would be classified as Croatian which would by definition give me a reason to be biased against Serbs. As I mentioned, my ethnicity, nor that of our writers’ wives is not an indicator of anti-Albanian sentiments or biased writing. As you mentioned above, Bosnia and Croatia were heavily affected by Serbian aggression in the 1990s but it would be foolish to assume that the affected peoples had no crimes of their own against the Bosnian Serb population. I have personally been affected, which is why I am writing to you as an immigrant woman living in Vancouver, rather than my hometown Sarajevo.
My ethnicity has never been a factor in any writing that I do. As a writer, I felt that it was my responsibility to maintain neutrality, which is what I have done. My piece was not a personal discussion of Albanian-Serbian relations. I am not denying atrocities committed by both sides, I am aware of the situation, and I am nowhere suggesting that one ethnic group is responsible for all the violence. This situation is a multidimensional problem, and blaming either Serbians or Albanians only suggests unfamiliarity with the situation - neither are innocent, including the international community which has not adequately responded to the crisis.
I have chosen to interview Mr. Malagurski for the following reasons:
First, he is a director living in Vancouver and I was genuinely interested in art by local artists. It is my personal belief that art is a reflection of society, and I was interested in a different dimension of that reflection since it differs from the majority of one-sided and biased media coverage. Although Serbia is responsible for starting the aggression in the 1990’s, no one living there or in the region can deny that people of Serbia had their share of suffering - it is the responsibility of any good writer to highlight the existing faces of reality, even when it will be unacceptable for some.
Like you mentioned, every country has ghettos, and it is exactly why I chose to write this story, because it highlights poverty, violence, and isolation of a group of people which is a reality for the remaining families there. This film also mentions the inadequacy of the international response which in official UN writing appears much more optimistic than it really is for both Serbians as well as Albanians. Just because “every country in the world has ghettos’, it does not mean they should remain there for the sake of existing. The issues at stake are not only poverty, but personal safety and ethnic tensions which are high on both Albanian and Serbian side. Just because Vancouver has poverty-stricken areas, it does not mean that we should look the other way.
I am very sorry that you and I don’t share the same humanitarian compassion; I wish more people weren’t vindictive and using the “now it’s your turn” approach, because in reality it inhibits progress and is a catalyst for future inheritance of hatred which in my opinion is the most dangerous and unproductive force in our society. You say I “speak of us [you]” yet I have not anywhere mentioned Albanians in any negative light. I appreciate comments and a discussion, even more so when its generated by an understanding of what I have written, rather than filtering history and current events and accusations of “living in the past”. Serbia is certainly not made of money, and just a little bit of research will tell you that there is immense suffering within both ethnic groups which is an indication that something has to be done, even if it’s just a conversation on a blog far away from what you, myself and Mr. Malagurski call home.
February 17, 2009
I was born in Kosovo but have live most of my life here in Canada, so I would condier you half of Croatia and half of Serbia heritage, mind you not. Most of my comment were based dirctly to the director since it was his responses. At a time of war, there is a no win situation in my belief. Because even though Kosovo has gained its Independence, the lives of those lost will never get back. Those homeless children won’t get their mommy or daddy back, their life will never ever be the same. I, for one have no hate feelings for all Serbians, I am angry I do admit as to what happened because my life is not the same anymore but it doesnt mean i hate them because belive it or not i have come to form alot of friendship with follow Serbs. It is Milosevic whom i hate even those he’s dead and as for the goverment both Kosovo and Serbia have messed up goverments. My strongest belief is that both Kosovo and Serbia have to learn to let go and move on with our life and rebuild our future for the best of our children and our children’s children because we have to built a future together whether we like it or not, so its for the best of all to learn to let go of hatred feelings and living on the past. As for the ghettos, its true just because someone has a bad life doesnt mean they should move, i agree with you there. But Kosovo, not alot of people there have high wages, the country is still trying to rebuilt itself from the war. The economy is still low and belive it or not Kosovo Serbs have all the protection they can possibly get, their villages are monitored by UN security forces and they have more right then Albanians do, their regular penson benefits are higher then those of Albanians, i really do not see why still they complain, forget the past kiss the future only way of survival in Kosovo for both nationalities is this. thanks
Happy Independence Day of Kosova to all Kosovars!!!
February 17, 2009
Arta of Kosovo,
Having read through your two posts just now judging a movie you haven’t watched and an article you obviously haven’t read thoroughly, was indeed, if I may say, torture. Torture in the sense that in this ever increasing world of information exchange and knowledge building you seem to be amazingly immune to both.
Now, let me address some of the more serious and interesting allegations you make, now I prefer to call them rabid assumptions by an uneducated wench, but being a Canadian I’m forced to live up to the stereotype of being nice. First off, you assume the journalist to be automatically Serb, and then go assume Scott Taylor’s wife to be automatically Serb. Extremely presumptuous, especially since you’ve probably never heard of Scott Taylor or his wife before stumbling across this article - or that he even has a wife. And then common sense tells us that you’ve probably also never read any of Mr. Taylor’s books. (For his information, HE is married, but his wife ISN’T Serbian but good try - A+ for effort). Now I could be mean and assume you’ve never read any books at all, but I’m not like that.
Then there’s this beauty of a comment: “nd [sic] last but not least this movie is m ade [sic] by a Serbian and of course it will be against Albanians so anyone smart watching this movie will of course know that unless it was made by Americans then it’d be a different story”. This is what particularly fascinates me about Albanians - when the entire world hates the United States and thinks it to be a scorn on the earth - Albanians have the guts to name streets after George Bush when the entire world is screaming for his head. Obviously you guys had too much raki in your systems - but I guess that’s at least something to be proud of I suppose.
“the strongest and powerful nations in the world are in our side and willing to make our life better when you only destoyed [sic] us, but you know what Serbia tried to break us, but in the end they broke themselfes [sic] us and the world hates them and well guess what, Kosovo is still standing after all the trauma, turmoil and torture and genocide [SIC lol] you’ve done and tomorrow we are celbrating [sic] the 1st Anniversary today and its our time to shine and be heard”
Now let’s be clear here, having the German Luftwaffe do its first bombing runs since WWII in order to “protect” you isn’t just a tad pathetic, but it’s also evil. And again, going back to the States - they also supported Hitler originally, Stalin, fascist dictatorships in Central and South America, etc. Having power doesn’t exactly equate with having moral authority or “being in the right”.
Yes, Kosovo is still standing I’m sure. The billions of dollars of EU and UN money seem to have made a real difference now - unemployment is only at 40%! Now imagine how bad things will get with this “economic downturn”, granted things in that area are so bad politicians and residents pray that a state economy may one day exist to replace the black market - so I suppose it can’t get any worse in a place where the top economic output is the result of recycling junk yard cars.
Genocide? Really, what genocide? Please prove something here - otherwise it’s all just random gibberish by a teenage girl. I challenge you to find “genocide in Kosovo” - simple task really – corroborate that roughly 100,000 or more Albanians died in Kosovo due to Serb barbarism as reported in the Western media in 1999 and you’ve won. Something tells you won’t though.
“All of Serbia is made out of money they robbed from Kosovo Albanians and now you’re crying a river, well I couldnt [sic] be happier, now you see what’s [sic] it like to be left with nothing.”
If all of Serbia was made out of money “robbed” from Kosovo Albanians, that would probably amount to 3 cents US – and that would be with decades of interest – and that’s probably because they chose to finally charge you one day for using electricity and water and so forth – but no, that’s theft…somehow. Now here, please learn some history before you spew about things you have little or no knowledge on. Those pleasant states you mentioned up top, like Croatia and Slovenia, were quite rich areas whose residents felt Kosovo was a burden on them because all of their tax money went there. One of the reasons why Slovenes and Croats wanted to split from Yugoslavia.
To give you an example that hits home a second time around - it’s sort of like the Maritimes – have not provinces that are burden to the rest of Canada – what a coincidence you moved there – you like having others do your dirty work for you - or just your work in general. So please, Albanians weren’t even allowed to own cars in their own country until 1990, you should be thankful you ever received anything from the Yugoslav and Serbian states and now from other Canadian provinces in transfer payments.
I do love contradictions - maybe you’re smart enough to find it in your own comments when you say: “perhaphs [sic] boris [sic] should’ve watched the documentary of Lous [sic] arbour [sic] where she disvoers [sic] Serbs mvoing [sic] bodies away from Kosovo during the ‘99 war and placing them in Serbia, hiding them so the UN does not know jsut [sic] how bad serbs [sic] are, and i [sic] do feel bad for you that are still stuck in the past.
Telling Mr. Malagurski to go watch a documentary about things that happened “in the past” (to satirize your own comments about that) and then telling him to get “over the past” is contradictory behaviour exhibited on your part – which puts the final nail in the coffin of your “analysis” of the situation.
P.S.: Your singing isn’t all that utterly atrocious – but not up to the standards of a movie done by Mr. Malagurski I’m sure – so if this was all some trick to try to get some fame and “air time” – you’ve probably lucked out from what I can see. Best find yourself another hobby.
February 24, 2009
Kosovo’s Independce was such a blast. I enjoyed celebrating it in Toronto. If this is all you can do, just say b.s go ahead, I don’t really care. And I do think Kosovo’s economy is pretty good considering we just got our independece a year ago, still trying to rebuild fromm the war. And, I can feel through your writing your fuming but that is ok. I’m smart enough to enjoy Kosovo’s Independence while you go ahead and make some movie kinda trying to blame on the other side. It’s all ok because there’s always two sides of a story so it would be very interesting to watch and see what you have to say. I am not an immature teenager, Im young but not a teenager. And what’s wrong with loving the Americans, they’re the one’s that saved our lives. And just to make a point, is not only Bosnia and Croatia that seperated from you, Montenegro did as well. You went from being Yugoslavia to Serbia and Montenegro now to only Serbia, if I were you I’d try to keep what I have before loosing it all. You bite off more then you can chew. And if you can’t take my comments well that’s too bad. Freedom of speech. Welcome to Canada even though I did not voluntarily come to live here or choose where to live, i was kinda just put here but I do love it here. And Im not trying to gain fame by talking to you. I don’t belive in fame. Fame doesn’t give you happiness.
March 4, 2009
“If this is all you can do, just say b.s go ahead, I don’t really care.”
I’d say you took quite a beating! Haha…
“I’m smart enough to enjoy Kosovo’s Independence while you go ahead and make some movie kinda trying to blame on the other side.”
You’re responding to Derek… Derek made a movie? In any case, the director here is smart enough to make a documentary, while you are stupid enough to celebrate the dependence of a rogue state.
“And what’s wrong with loving the Americans, they’re the one’s that saved our lives.”
At the expense of killing off some of us… For example, the Korisa massacre… Bombing a refugee convoy… That really ruined a lot of our lives.
April 29, 2009
Hello everyone,
I would like to inform you that the documentary film “Kosovo | Can You Imagine?” is now available on DVD at
http://www.kosovo-fillm.com/buy
All the best,
Boris Malagurski
May 23, 2009
To: Arta_of_Kosovo
Im Australian, so i’m neutral when it comes to all these problems. but i think you should stop blaming Serbia for everything. Yes, Serbia has done some wrong things in the past - almost every single country in the world has at some point in history. I could write a really long list of all the countries that have caused the suffering of other people, and one of them would be Albania. I think you’re views are very biased. People have to learn to accept each other & their history.
By the way, i don’t think Kosovo should be independent because it goes against international law. Kosovo’s independence is only going to start more trouble between different countries. Besides, most of the world hasn’t even accepted Kosovo as being independent, therefore in the eyes of most of the world’s population - Kosovo is still a part of Serbia.
You said before, that Albanian’s have most of the powerful countries on their side. But this isn’t necessarily true. USA clearly doesn’t care about Albania or Kosovo, they are just using this situation to make an advantage for themselves. USA is only using Kosovo, that’s all. They don’t necessarily care about the people. Everyone knows that.
And clearly there are some powerful countries supporting Serbia too. In fact there are more countries against Kosvo independence then for it.
October 18, 2009
Dear all,
As I have read your comments, a lot of memories came back. I come from Kosovo but I would not expose my nationality for the reasons that no presumtion is made, thus, I named myself a Citizen of Earth.
Unfortunately, history of people of Ballkan region and for that matter the history of our civilization is pretty dark but it has its lessons.
From the comments I have read I would love to meet all of you, perhaps all at the same time. If we all can sit down, the Serbs, Albanians, Roms, Turks, Croats, BH etc., and talk as civelized people and for a moment forget the past and focus together on the future in order to demonstrate how poeple can live together and have healthy communication.
What is the point on showing what’s wrong with our society without poviding or suggesting solution to (a) problem(s).
If we take one side over an other, all we are doing is making ourselves feel a little better by expresing our anger in a childish way. The problem is still there.
If you all like to feel better, I suggest making a movie how people of Ballkan region are living happily together in Canada. Show that movie to people in Serbia, Kosovo etc. Teach them that we are all product of our society, and when we change our way of thinking and thus our society we can then live together.
After all life is too short to hate or resent ….There is only one big country can’t you all see that?
I thank you for reading this (only one man’s opinion).
CoE
November 26, 2009
Arta i don’t think you realise that Kosovo was Serbian land and that Albanians came to live on in and at that time in the past Albanians were Christian later on they converted to Islam and wanted the Serbian to do so aswell and thats were the conflict began. So i understand your side of the arguement that Serbians killed Albanins and that whole thing but you guys killed Serbians aswell i think that those even it out but you guys didnt end it there you had to get Kosovo away from us. With the help of Americans that dont care about anyone but them selves lets be specific here George Bush one American and you guys showed alot of respect when he came to Kosovo and he was robbed. Let me ask you this have you lived trough a war?? Well i have lived trough the NATO attack in Serbia trough the whole was since i was born lost alot of family and for what to be disrespected again and threated like some criminals in our own land and watch it be taken away. I have family and frinds that go to Kosovo all the time that a part of the army to protect those Serbians that are still there. Their family worry all the time if their are going to come back home alive or in a bag. I have a story that i read while Kosovo was still Serbian a Serian man that lived in Kosovo with his daughter protected 3 young Albanian man against the army and was with them while they were growing up he gave them a home without thinking what race they were or who they were for them to later after Kosovo got Independence turn their back on him and kill him right in front of his daughter. I dont care about any of the sides of the stories anymore i just want what is right full to be Serbian to be returned and for the war to stop that started ages ago to stop because its stupid. Im just angry that after taking Kosovo the Albanians there had the nerve to burn our churches, kill inocent people that let them live there and our mosks i realise we did stuff in the past aswell but its the 21st century people have rights and i dont live in Serbia i live in Australia. I have Albanian friends not scared to say it we work together but we will never be able to be good friends because of this Kosovo situation and people like you that keep going on about youu killed our peole awell we did Serbian never lied and not they dont drink rakija all the time thats a sterotype that you believe in like me saying all Albanians lie its bullshit. People need to move on they had their whole lives taken away from them and for what this bullshit grow up its 2009 its just childish now and inhuman.
Just had to write my toughts on the situation im fed up of the blaming it on Serbians because its a steretype and its bullshit grow up media influences people and no Serbian people are not the only ones saying this movie is good because they are Serbian theres a reason why it won those awards by the way to the director great movie.
January 2, 2010
The whole Balkan region is in a real messed state. As my girlfriend (who is 3/4 Kosovar and 1/4 Slovenian) said, all this messiness would probably not have if the British Empire had colonised the region before the Commies could and nationalists could get to it.
January 21, 2010
Mr. Boris Malagurski!
Kosovo Serbs have been ethnically cleansed by Albanians? (that’s what you’ve said in one of your blogs)That statement is totally false! I strongly believe that Albanians were ethnically cleansed by Serbs just like Bosnians…etc. My family and I just like the rest of Albanians lived through a nightmare, something that I will never forget for as long as I live. Let me say this I forgive, even though the Serbs have caused my family and the rest of Kosovo so much pain and for all the family members that they have massacred (and my dog) and forced us to watch. Obviously the Serbian soldiers were “brainwashed” by the heartless Slobodan Milosevic and they were ordered to destroy us. There were infants, mothers and unborn children being brutally killed. One of the pregnant women had her stomach cut because not only they want to kill her but also her unborn baby, those solders were monsters ok! The Serbs are the ones that started the war, I was born there and lived there until I was 12 I remember being sprayed teargas into my eyes at school by the Serbs. During the war my family and I witnessed our house getting bombed. We are the ones that had no human rights, we were the ones being dumped into the ditch,we were being forced to speak Serbian and follow their ways of doing everything. We couldn’t even drive peacefully to our aunt’s place, without being harassed by the Serbs, I remember they would hit my dad with a weapon; my dad would not scream or cry he did not want us kids to feel his pain and he did not want to show weakness to those evil Serbian soldiers. We just wanted peace and live life, but they took everything from us and destroyed our dreams. Please get your STORY staight. The whole WROLD knows what exactly happened! I have evidence of a lot of things that went on during the war. The people of Kosovo put everything beind and moved forward and started rebuilding. The Serbs in Kosovo are living in peace, they have the same rights as we do. I know how things operate over there. I visit Kosovo every 6 months; 4 months in the summer and 1 in the winter. I know Serbs are in peace no one bothers them !!! Move on with life …. don’t bring drama and hatred PLEASE….
Don’t make judgements if you don’t know the whole situation.
Thank you!
January 27, 2010
Hello My Name Is Mohammed Jawara, I Live In Burnaby B.C
I Wrote a book and I want to turn it into movie.
My story Tells My Experience In Liberia, Sierra Leone And Guinea During The Civil War.
I Also Need A Script Or Screen Writer.
Please Help Me To Bring My Dreams To life.
Thank You So Much.
February 20, 2010
I’m 17 years old and i was reading the story and comments and people there is nothing to talk about any more,we all know who is guillty,our parents,our brothers and sisters are dead from serbs, we didn’t go in serbia to kill people they come to as and we just protect our selfs and this is the truth not those thing.No one know in what we have been through.
Kosovo it wasn’t ,it’s not and it will never be part of serbia ,we have our history our culture we are not anyones part.
There is solution for this problem because this problem dosn’t exist for as serbia is serbia and Kosovo is Kosovo there ar two different countries.
I would like to write much more but words won’t describe those thing that i would like to write…
We are paceful people and we don’t like war…
PS: Sorry about mistakes,I don’t have very good English
March 14, 2010
Hi All ,
Everything what you see in that movie is OPPOSITE .
Boris Malagurski - LAIR ,
April 28, 2010
The major problem I have with people like Arta is that they blame others for being biased when they themselves are basing their opinions on their own circumstances. How can you blame the Serbs for atrocities and in the same breath blindly worship the United States like some sort of international liberator. Correct me if I’m wrong but I haven’t seen the States pay any reparations for the fire bombings of Tokyo or the dropping of the atomic bombs. I guess Arta is just selective about who she blames for human rights violations when the violator is bombing the cities of her enemy. Arta, you are absolutely entitled to write whatever you desire on the internet but please take into consideration the other side of the argument. Making broad, uneducated attacks on another country only opens the floodgates for the plethora of 2nd year Albanian philosophy majors to spew their opinionated drivel on how evil the Serbs were. If all the “Kosova” diehards followed the example set by Rugova, maybe the issue could be settled in a civil manner. Unfortunately he was chased out of Kosovo like a rabid dog, an event very telling of the type of individuals behind the Kosovo liberation movement. Also, people need to stop making direct attacks on Boris. He is not pointing fingers and placing blame on anyone. The purpose of this documentary is to bring to light the human rights violations against the Serbs in Kosovo, something he mentioned several times. If you feel that the Albanians are or were being mistreated, then get up and do something about it. You sit there in your gilded thrones of ignorance and attack someone who has put a lot of time and effort into making something tangible. Clearly, he’s done a fair amount of research and knows what he is talking about. Until someone provides me with a credible argument for why the Serbs were the monsters you portray them to be or that the Albanians were the only victims in the conflict, kindly silence yourself. I’m quite tired of hearing the opinions of someone whose only education on the subject comes from the drunken rants of their parents. Boris, excellent film and please continue to spread your message. You have more people behind you than you could possibly know.