Northwest Film Forum

December 5-14, 2008

Surrounded by powerful neighbors, with a population of barely two million and a language spoken only by its inhabitants, Slovenia has struggled for centuries to keep its own identity and culture. It was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from the 14th century to the end of World War I, when it was included in the newly founded “Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes,” a political unit created at the Versailles Peace Conference that was later renamed Yugoslavia. During World War II, Slovenia was invaded and partitioned among Austria, Hungary and Italy. Afterwards, it was incorporated into Tito’s Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, where it became the country’s most prosperous and developed region. On June 25, 1991, the Republic of Slovenia declared its independence.
 
With this turbulent history, it’s remarkable that Slovenia has maintained a national cinema at all. Yet film, which first appeared in the capital Ljubljana as early as 1896, thrived within the socialist republic. Triglav Films, Slovenia’s first major film studio, was founded in 1947, and within a few years was producing popular domestic comedies such as Vesna. Many of the new currents in 1960s European cinema arrived early in Slovenia, and works such as Dance in the Rain and Paper Planes helped introduce a modernist sensibility into Yugoslav cinema. Following independence, many feared that an audience as small as Slovenia’s could not sustain a national cinema. Despite rough years, critical and commercial successes including Sweet Dreams have shown the viability of the country’s filmmaking.
 
Slovenian films, currently averaging about six to eight a year, have also become an increasingly familiar presence at international film festivals. The Slovenian Film Fund has been essential in fostering this remarkable growth. Founded in 1994, the SFF has supported over twenty directorial debuts, helping create a new generation of filmmakers. It has also promoted Slovenian film more actively internationally and encouraged co-production arrangements with other members of the European community. As a result, at a time in which most discussions of international cinema focus on the negative impact of globalization, Slovenia has become an uplifting and inspiring success story for the cinemas of other small nations.
 
Our first presentation of the Slovenian films took place in 2004, but featured only recent works. This year's series will be the first comprehensive overview of Slovenian cinema after WWII.

At The Crossroads: is presented by the Northwest Film Forum in collaboration and with major support from the Slovenian Film Fund. The series was programmed by Richard Peña and organized by Irena Kovarova, independent film programmer. Additional support provided by The Consulate General of Slovenia. Special thanks to Consul General Alenka Suhadolnik and Nerina T. Kocjancic, Head of Promotion, Slovenian Film Fund.
 

Sponsored by UW Slavic Languages and Literatures