If the last time you heard about the Balkans was when you wore your retainer in public, you should know that things have changed a bit. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, and we are eagerly anticipating the inevitable cultural outpouring that will stem from the country.
According to film professor Meta Mazaj, Balkan cinema existed long before the 1990s, but no one really took notice of it until the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
It was during the bloody creation of several new states that film emerged as a viable medium for nationalist expression. And even though most wars preclude effective filmmaking, it was (surprisingly) during the mid '90s that the art flourished in the region. Some success stories include that of cultural icon Emir Kusturica, who directed Underground in 1995, a film that tells the history of Yugoslavia. Another well-known director, Milco Mancevski, released Before the Rain, a Macedonian love story.
To date, Mazaj hasn't heard of any Kosovar films. Its independence, however, is expected to prompt both journalistic documentaries and feature films about the birth of a nation.
The interesting thing about Kosovo is the geopolitical arena it has joined. Just at a time when the notion of statehood has become obselete, as evidenced by the ascension of eastern European countries to the EU, Kosovo is ready to exercise its self-determination. Mazaj believes that the invariable confluence of politics and nationalism will manifest itself in film - not least to repudiate Western conceptions of the Balkans as a perpetually war-torn area.
If the Oscar-winning Bosnian film No Man's Land is any indication, a robust film industry can take root in even the most afflicted areas.
As Kosovo develops the institutions of a civil society, it is predicted to mimic the cultural self-actualization experienced by its neighbors. No matter how sensitive the issue, the whole world is watching on HDTV; Kosovo's chance to shine has arrived.
