In autocratic nations, a culture of fear often permeates society that suppresses open and honest critique of central authorities. However, one major way creatively minded citizens have found to express their true thoughts and critiques on authority and societal norms is through film.
Balkan Spy, released in 1984 and directed by Dušan Kovačević and Božidar Nikolić, is a black comedy that explores the themes of trauma, repression, and the culture of fear induced under an authoritarian regime like communist Yugoslavia. On July 22nd, during Captive Nations Week, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation will host a screening of this film as a part of the Balkan Studies Initiative and the first Serbo-Croatian film screening in VOC’s history.
We hope to see you there.
