Three Films on Language /Poland/Belarus: Integration, Internationalism, Nationalism

Synopsis

DVD compilation of the three films: JARMARK EUROPA (2005), ESPERI (2005) and ZUBR (2006) that originate in a journey undertaken by the artist from Warsaw to the Belarusian National Park headquarters in Kamieniuki, Belarus. JARMARK EUROPA focuses on a Vietnamese community of market traders that existed in what was once (but has since been demolished) Europe’s largest outdoor market, Jarmark Europa. ESPERI is about Esperanto, featuring an interview with the president of the founding Esperanto society headquarters in Bialystok. ZUBR looks at the threat of deforestation to Europe’s last remaining primeval forest Belovezhskaya Pushcha triggered by the closure of the border between Poland and Belarus and the suppression of the Belarusian
language by Lukashenko’s government.

The three films have been compiled to DVD five years after their making to accompany the book of the same title that looks at the development of the social and political situations that the films originate in, since the time of shooting. In the preface to the book Stevens gives personal insight and account into the films and their making and reflects on recent calls by France and Italy to review the Schengen agreement in wake of the refugees created by the Arab Spring and war in Libya. Documents within the publication also include: fragments of debate on Esperanto from the E.U. parliamentary archives; a succession of news reports detailing native language suppression in Belarus; and correspondence between the Polish and Belarusian governments and UNESCO on
the management of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha world heritage site.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2011

Notes

Includes 72 page book

Subjects

Languages; Politics & government

Keywords

Belarus; ethnic minorities; European Union; Poland; Vietnam; Esperanto

Credits

Director

Samuel Stevens

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 PAL

Price

£115.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

30 minutes

Year

2013

Production Company

Name

Pamphleteer Films

Distributor

Name

Lux

Email

info@lux.org.uk

Web

https://lux.org.uk/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 31412960

Address

Waterlow Park Centre
Dartmouth Park Hill
London
N19 5JF

Notes

The premier UK source for arts-based moving image materials including experimental film, video art, installation art, performance art, personal documentary, essay films and animation. Incorporates collections previously held by the London Film-makers’ Co-op and London Video Arts. The 4000+ works are available for non-theatric exhibition, some may be purchased on DVD through the online shop, and a selection are streamed for free online viewing.