Written and Directed by: Hermann Vaske
Cinematography: Alexandros Maragos, Miona Bogovic, Patricia Lewandowska, Alexandru Mavrodineanu, Daniel Tölke
Edited by: Bastian Ahrens & Vanessa Rossi

Now Available on: iTunes | Google Play | Vimeo

The documentary features actress Angelina Jolie and world-renowned performance artist Marina Abramović. Musicians like Baba Zula, Goran Bregović and the Boban i Marko Marković Orchestra. YouTube artist Jelena Petosevic and filmmakers like Phedon Papamichael and Dušan Makavejev. Directors as diverse as Jasmila Žbanić and Emir Kusturica. And scientists like Croatian astronomer Korado Korlević. Finally, representing young creatives Hermann Vaske talked to artists like Flaka Haliti and Želimir Barić. Philosopher Slavoj Žižek takes us along a rollercoaster ride through the creative world of the Balkans. It is an exploration of the various facets of creativity: cultural, philosophical, political and artistic.

All in all, Balkan Spirit shows that after decades of war and destruction, a new creative renaissance is happening in the region. The young creatives are doing their own thing and don’t want to be put in boxes. They are eager to destroy the outside views and prejudices of the West and find a new fresh creativity outside the box.

The Balkans is a European region that lives and breathes creativity. Despite the picture that the media presents, the Balkans offers the world a surprisingly fresh and passionate creativity.

The film premiered at the 32nd Istanbul International Film Festival and broadcasted by Arte.

More: Documentary Gallery