President Milanović Attends Documentary Film Premiere “1991. Tko je tvoj bližnji?“

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended at Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall the premiere of a documentary film entitled “1991. Tko je tvoj bližnji?” (1991 Who Is Your Neighbour?). The film was directed by Goran Maršalek, screenplay by historian Tomislav Šulj, and produced by the Association of Veterans, Soldiers and Patriots.

The film portrays foreigners who fought as volunteers in the Homeland War. Moreover, it recaptures the atmosphere of uncertainty and suffering that hung over Croatia in late fall 1991, and shows the lack of support from the international community Croatia had hoped for. At the same time, the story line features individuals, foreigners who decide to join Croatia’s defence who felt a personal sense of injustice.

Foreign volunteers arrived from as many as 45 countries, mostly from England, the Netherlands and France. After the war they experienced many unpleasant situations. Upon returning to their countries, some met with condemnation, others remained to live in Croatia. Still the majority did not manage to exercise their veterans’ rights to this day.

By researching the archives, historian Tomislav Šulj, who wrote the screenplay, brought back to life this important part of the history of the 1990s war. He has estimated that more than one thousand foreign volunteers fought in the war, some one hundred were killed, and approximately 150 sustained serious injuries.

In the 53 minute-long film, archive material is combined with taped conversations including the life stories and testimonies of foreign volunteers.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan