To make peace means documenting war

War is today officially over in the former Yugoslavia, but in the hearts and minds of many people the war still goes on, and its causes and consequences are not dealt with. It’s in the minds that war started – and where it has to end, in order to build up a sustainable peace.

For several years the independent TV station B92 in Belgrade has been documenting the events happening in the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1999. In cooperation with partners from the whole region B92 produces documentary movies uncovering war crimes. Thus people are confronted with the crimes committed in their name and about which they know little or even do not believe they happened at all.

This project is called „Nezavisni za istinu“ (Independent for the Truth) . Many of the 30 productions accomplished so far have received awards. Dozens of TV stations in the region have broadcasted them, thus reaching an audience of over one million people. The broadcasting of the movies never went without reaction, but resulted in public debates, long articles in newspapers and even police investigations and legal actions against perpetrators documented in the movies. The documentaries put pressure on governments to acknowledge war crimes and prosecute them, to take responsibility, cooperate with the UN-Tribunal and hold the guilty to account. They contribute thus substantially to dealing with the past and pave the way towards reconciliation.

Medienhilfe has – amongst others – supported the production of the movies. This was made possible thanks to the Swiss Foreign Ministry (Political Department IV). The 20 best documentaries - subtitled in English - are for the first time available as boxes containing 12 DVDs each. 1000 boxes are being distributed free of charge to schools and universities, libraries and cultural centres in the region. Targeting primarily a local audience, the English subtitles make the movies accessible to audiences outside the region as well.

You can order the DVD-box “Independent for the truth” for 180 Swiss francs / 120 Euro (excl. postage) at: medienhilfe, Postfach, CH-8031 Zürich, Switzerland (or lwa(at)medienhilfe.ch)

A list and a short content description of all movies contained in the box can be downloaded as pdf here