Foyer Europe
Foyer Europe is a documentary film. It tells a story of a place where three fates of culturally and economically different worlds collide unexpectedly. The document reveals the unequal and dehumanized nature of the globalized world. In the Balkan metropolis Belgrade, a rather symbolic "foyer of Europe", the fates of "unwanted" refugees who are hopelessly imprisoned within impenetrable state borders, collide with the fates of "privileged" Saudi-Arab sheiks who make claim for the city centre through their investment development project, and finally with the fates of "overlooked" people of Belgrade, helpless and powerless against the political and financial forces that take away their right to decide about their own city by involuntarily evicting so a prearranged future can come into place.
The film, through these encounters of local lives with a global context, depicts the conflicts and dynamics shaping the character of the contemporary world, in which the claim to a better future is only for the privileged. The film is a journey exploring the physical, political and emotional archaeology of the contemporary global city.
The film, through these encounters of local lives with a global context, depicts the conflicts and dynamics shaping the character of the contemporary world, in which the claim to a better future is only for the privileged. The film is a journey exploring the physical, political and emotional archaeology of the contemporary global city.
Rojava, my love
The film follows Miroslav and Markéta Všelichovi, who met in the Kurdish autonomous region of Rojava. Miroslav joined the Kurdish YPG militia in the fight against ISIS, while Markéta worked there as a humanitarian volunteer. They became a couple and were later arrested in Turkey and imprisoned for their involvement with the Kurdish forces.
After their release and return to Czechia, they try to rebuild their lives. They start a family and search for stability they never had. Though grateful for their daughters, they carry psychological scars from prison. Mirek endured solitary confinement, and unresolved questions about responsibility for their arrest create tension between them.
Five years later, they live in a damaged house in northern Bohemia, slowly rebuilding it. The endless work consumes their time and replaces the ideals that once defined them. Mirek considers returning to military life, longing for purpose and recognition. Markéta dreams of humanitarian work but remains grounded in motherhood.
Memories of Rojava persist as a place where they felt respected and connected. In Czechia they often feel misunderstood. They travel to Iraq hoping to reach Rojava, only to realize that even if they return, it can no longer be their future. The film closely observes their struggle to accept the loss of a place that shaped their love and sense of belonging.
After their release and return to Czechia, they try to rebuild their lives. They start a family and search for stability they never had. Though grateful for their daughters, they carry psychological scars from prison. Mirek endured solitary confinement, and unresolved questions about responsibility for their arrest create tension between them.
Five years later, they live in a damaged house in northern Bohemia, slowly rebuilding it. The endless work consumes their time and replaces the ideals that once defined them. Mirek considers returning to military life, longing for purpose and recognition. Markéta dreams of humanitarian work but remains grounded in motherhood.
Memories of Rojava persist as a place where they felt respected and connected. In Czechia they often feel misunderstood. They travel to Iraq hoping to reach Rojava, only to realize that even if they return, it can no longer be their future. The film closely observes their struggle to accept the loss of a place that shaped their love and sense of belonging.