Burned in Memories

Script and direction: Anja Medved, Nadja Velušček
Research for script: Gašper Mithans
Cinematography: Hiacint Jussa, Anja Medved
Editing: Anja Medved
Original music: Mauro Bon
Sound design: Havir Gergolet
Color grading: Gianandrea Sasso
Documentary project execution: Zavod Kinokašča
Partner and activity leader: Kinoatelje

Year: 2017
Duration: 67 min
Format: Color
Sound: Stereo

Documentary film

The audiovisual documentation of memories is the focus of the European project of the same name, as there are still very few representatives of the generation of witnesses to World War II. The film production will therefore make a valuable contribution to the oral history archive, which is urgently needed for future studies and research. In addition to oral testimonies, the audiovisual project documents family photographs, personal documents, and other objects that reflect the tragedy of that time. The film screenings (tour) will take place in "burned villages" in Italy (Valley), Slovenia (Miren near Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Šmarje near Koper), and Croatia (Žejane), where discussions will raise awareness about local and regional history.

The short documentary film was presented to the audience in local communities ("burned villages"), where testimonies and other documentation were collected. A short discussion that followed the screenings encouraged intergenerational and intercultural dialogue. In order to raise awareness of the cruelties of the 20th century in this area across national or language borders, the film was also translated into English, making it accessible to a broader European audience. The documentary was broadcast on television, at memorial plaque unveilings, film festivals, museum exhibitions, and in schools. After these presentations, it is available in four languages on the website.

Partners involved in the documentary film:
Kinoatelje, as the leader of the activities, was responsible for coordinating the preparation of the documentary film. The film’s authors, Anja Medved and Nadja Velušček, have been documenting memories from the border area in their author-protected film productions for many years, for which they have been repeatedly awarded.

Other collaborators have provided materials and content for the documentary film (ZRS, Istrian Historical Society, Žejane Association) or handled the promotion and dissemination (Cultural Educational Society PiNA, Associazione Quarantasettezeroquattro) and offered support for organizing events (Municipality of Dolina/San Dorligo della Valle).

Duration of activities: 1 March 2016 — 28 February 2017

Participating organizations:

• Slovenian Educational Society Mačkolje
• Slovenian Cultural Society Primorsko Mačkolje
• Society of Slovenian Exiles 1941—1945, Nova Gorica Regional Organization
• Institute Kinokašča