Genre: Narrative Film (Documemory)
Estimated Duration: 53 minutes
Topic: Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1995

In Association with

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Blue Hippo Media

We produced the film with Blue Hippo Media, a Birmingham based production company known for their work in both documentary and narrative films. Blue Hippo Media is an internationally recognised film company and has won several awards for their work. Over the past few years they have produced films on five continents creating films with heart and purpose.

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The University of Reading (Department of Film, Theatre & Television)

Sarajevo: Shelved Memories was part of a practice-based doctoral project at the University of Reading. The Department of Film, Theatre & Television presented the ideal and most unique setting for the research as it is a department specialising in the interrelationship between practical work and theory. The support that staff gave during the development and production of the film allowed the project to experiment with film form, which directly led to the creation of the concept of ‘documemory’. You can read the entire manuscript of the thesis by clicking the link provided below.

Cast

Marko Cindric (Vladan)

Character: Vladan fought in the Bosnian army as a volunteer when his hometown was put under siege by Serbian forces. He has no real religious orientation, but identifies with the communists who are fighting for Sarajevo’s freedom. However, the years of fighting and the things he has seen are impacting on his emotional state and overall commitment. He is a tired man, who becomes increasingly pessimistic about the future and his reasons for still remaining in Sarajevo.

Actor Statement: I always wanted to be involved in films, ever since I remember and when I got invited for the audition for Reina’s film I was delighted and when she offered me the part I couldn’t believe it. Working with Reina was amazing, she gave me the space and opportunity to prepare for the part and the film like I wanted to, and how it’s supposed to be. She gave me the necessary funds and time to arrive on set ready and we would talk about the process, script and then we would shoot. Story was very close to me and Reina knew that and she approached the story with great detail and passion and I think you can see that when you watch the film. It was a great team of people working together with Reina as our captain and I wish we could all crossroads in the future and make something special again.

David Stephenson (Malcolm)

Character: Malcolm went to Bosnia five times in total – first as part of the UN task force, then as part of the NATO peace-keeping force. Being very sensitive by nature, he is initially very positive about his role in the Bosnian conflict. However, his time in Sarajevo quickly brings him to a different conclusion – a conclusion that completely desensitises him to the reality of the situation. Years later, he reflects on his actions and his feelings towards the conflict.

Lee Garrett (JP)

Character: JP is Malcolm’s best friend during their Bosnian campaign. Unlike Malcolm, he is a man of action and therefore he is also more open and critical about their role as part of the UN force. He becomes very bitter about the fact that they are not allowed to intervene – to the extent that the whole situation completely alienates him.

Henry Douthwaite (unknown Bosnian father)

Character: This real life yet unidentified individual is a very kind, but desperate man. The siege has reduced him to beg for supplies from Malcolm and JP. Being a proud man himself, he finds this a deeply degrading thing for him to do. Out of sheer desperation for his family though, he does it despite his reluctance.

Also starring:

Lachlan MacCall, Jeremy Drakes, Lieve Carchon, Kristina Dargelyte, Robert Cohen, Lloyd Morris, Robin Weston.

Crew

Cinematography

David Cawley

David is a cinematographer with a vast experience in his craft. He has worked far and wide across 6 continents shooting Films, TV, Documentary, Commercials and Promos. His real passions are drama and documentary.

In 2008 he shot the documentary Andy Parkin: a Life in Adaptation winning best film at SHAFF 2009. Summer 2009 brought about his first collaboration with director Reina-Marie Loader for the film Sarajevo: Shelved Memories, which explored the testimonies of the people caught up in the conflict in Sarajevo and the damage of war on the human spirit. In the winter of 2009, David went on to shoot the second unit on the feature film The Insatiable Moon in New Zealand. This film later had an international cinema release and gained multiple awards. In 2010, he shot his first feature How to Become a Criminal Mastermind and has since shot several short films and promos. This included a commercial for PlayStation VITA, which launched the console at its 2011 world premiere. In 2012, David was heavily involved in the critically acclaimed Last Shop Standing, which has toured the UK, playing at record shops and art house cinemas across the world. The documentary has additionally picked up enthusiastic reviews by recognised sources such as The Guardian. It has also received five stars in Q Magazine. David’s client list includes names such as Sony PlayStation, Virgin Music and National Geographic.

Music

Eugene Skeef

Eugene is a South African percussionist, composer, poet, educationalist and animator living in London since 1980. He also works in conflict resolution, acts as a consultant on cultural development, teaches creative leadership and is a broadcaster. In 2003 he founded Umoya Creations, a charity set up to facilitate this international work. Eugene’s roots are firmly established in his cultural work with Steve Biko, the late South African civil rights leader. As a young activist he co-led a nationwide literacy campaign teaching in schools, colleges and communities across apartheid South Africa.

Eugene is at the forefront of the contemporary music scene, collaborating with innovative artists like Anthony Tidd, Brian Eno, Bheki Mseleku, Tunde Jegede and Eddie Parker. He has brought his extensive experience, as an advisor, to the Contemporary Music Network. He has also been instrumental in developing the education programmes of some of the major classical orchestras in the United Kingdom, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LOP), the London Sinfonietta and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Nominations

Learning on Screen Awards 2011  (British Universities Film & Video Council), Best Film over 50 minutes (Swansea Bay Film Festival 2010), Documentary Europe (Heart of England International Film Festival 2010)

Festivals

Swansea Bay Film Festival (May 2010), The Heart of England International Film Festival (August 2010), The International Film Festival of Ireland (September 2010), Sheffield Doc/Fest Videotheque (November 2010)

Conferences

‘Visible Evidence’ (August 2010), ‘Acting with Facts’ (September 2010), ‘Documentary Now!’ (January 2011).