DOWN THERE

An interesting take on the identity of a migrant family, awarded at the Sarajevo FF and Crossing Europe FF Linz. A compelling, personal and quite funny film in the most appealing Balkan style on the inexhaustible topic of guest workers abroad. Screenings are followed by Q&A with the director Djordje Cenic.

Synopsis

The documentary filmmaker Djordje Cenic sets out on an autobiographical journey that starts in the “guest workers’ milieu” of the Austrian regional capital Linz in the 1970s and takes him to his family’s war-torn ancestral village in Croatia. In comically absurd as well as tragic episodes describing small victories and major defeats, homesickness and class distinctions, the film offers – using home movies, photographs and current professional footage – deep insights into the filmmaker’s family history. It is an attempt to illustrate the balancing act between “up here” (Austria) and “down there” (Yugoslavia/Croatia) that characterizes generations of guest workers.