GORI VATRA

Réal. : Pjer Zalica 2003 - 35 mm - Couleurs - 105' BOSNIE et HERZÉGOVINE

Interprétation : Enis Beslagic, Bogdan Diklic, Sasa Petrovic, Izudin Bajrovic, Jasna Zalica, Senad Basic, Admir Glamocak, Emir Hadzihafizbegovic
Image : Mirsad Herovic
Musique : Sasa Losic
Costumes : Amela Vilic
Décor : Kemal Hrustanovic
Scenario : Pjer Zalica
Son : Marton Jankov, Tomica
Montage : Almir Kenovic
Production : Ademir Kenovic

Tesanj is a small town in Bosnia where a darker reality belies its cliché picture-book image. Warm, open and unassuming inhabitants, a happy life, a market square, tradition, good neighbourliness : so much for appearances. This tranquil surface hides ethnic intolerance, crime, prostitution and the gangrene of corruption. Suddenly, the announcement of American President Bill Clinton's imminent visit to Tesanj sends the little community into euphoria. In the international spotlight, the small town looks forward to a massive influx of foreign capital, promises of prosperity and well-being. Hasn't the American president agreed to become the town's sponsor ? All that is now needed for the dream to become a reality is for Tesanj to clean up its darker side. Under the supervision and assistance of international observers posted to the region, the small Bosnian town embarks on a breathless race to beat the clock. It has only seven days to create an impromptu democracy and make it look like the peaceful little town it is supposed to be ! The whole community of Tesanj tips over into madness, quiet and raving by turns, as the hours tick by. The prostitutes become performers in a show celebrating religious and cultural diversity, the firemen rapidly form a band and the local flag is exhumed, revised and re-designed American-style for the occasion. Pjer Zalica has made a lively, observant and lyrical comedy in which irony vies with tenderness to depict the cynicism and unsavoury side of post-war Bosnia. There is a kind of humour in the horror the director reveals : jarring, mordant, the film is imbued with the bitter-sweet melancholy that characterises the best tragi-comedies.