Contemporary Balkan Cinema: Transnational Exchanges and Global Circuits (Traditions in World Cinema)

The first inclusive collection to examine post-2008 developments in Balkan cinema, this book brings together a number of international scholars working within and beyond the region to explore its industrial contexts and textual dimensions. Exploring both mainstream and arthouse cinemas, the authors identify patterns, trends and common characteristics in the subject matter and aesthetics of films produced and distributed since the global economic crisis. With a focus on transnational links, global networks and cross-cultural exchanges, the book addresses the role of national and supranational institutions as well as film festival networks in supporting film production, distribution and reception. Through critical and comprehensive profiles of the cinematic output in each Balkan country, and with an equal focus on smaller and underrepresented cinemas from Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania, the collection argues for the continuing relevance of the concept of ‘Balkan cinema’. This study conceptualizes Contemporary Balkan Cinema as a hybrid, trans-national encounter that offers multifarious responses to political and social challenges in the region: gravitation and/or disillusionment toward the European Union; migration; political and social instability; and economic recession. Contents 6 Figures and Tables 8 Acknowledgements 11 Contributors 13 Traditions in World Cinema 20 Foreword: Cinema of the Balkans – An Endless Journey • Dina Iordanova 22 Introduction • Lydia Papadimitriou and Ana Grgić 30 1 Albania: Crossing Borders with a New Imaginary • Bruce Williams and Kledian Myftari 47 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Challenging Precarity, Rethinking Trauma • Dijana Jelača 63 3 Bulgaria: Reframing Contemporary Arthouse and Mainstream Cinema • Gergana Doncheva 79 4 Croatia: Film under Ideological Pressure – The State, Its Citizen and the Faltering Future • Jurica Pavičić and Aida Vidan 98 5 Cyprus: Transnational Challenges, Opportunities and Compromises • Costas Constandinides and Yiannis Papadakis 116 6 Greece: Transnational Dynamics in Greek Cinema since the Crisis • Maria Chalkou 129 7 Kosovo: Cinematic Developments between Conflicts and Social Transformation • Francesca Borrione and Albana Muco 150 8 Montenegro: A Small, Open and Forward-looking Film Industry • Sanja Jovanović 168 9 North Macedonia: A Nation and Cinema in Transition • Vessela S. Warner 183 10 Romania: Transnational and National Tensions Beyond the New Wave • Raluca Iacob 201 11 Serbia: Reco(r)ding the Cinematic Turn • Nevena Daković, Aleksandra Milovanović and Iva Leković 219 12 Slovenia: A Small National Cinema in the Phase of Transnational Synergy • Polona Petek 237 13 Turkey: Transnational Dimensions of a Large National Film Industry • Melis Behlil 257 Tables 279 General Bibliography 319 Index 324 The first inclusive collection to examine post-2008 developments in Balkan cinema, this book brings together a number of international scholars to explore its industrial contexts and textual dimensions. With a focus on transnational links, global networks and cross-cultural exchanges, the book addresses the role of national and supranational institutions as well as film festival networks in supporting film production, distribution and reception. It also identifies key characteristics in the subject matter and aesthetics of Balkan films made since the global economic crisis. Through critical and comprehensive country profiles, and with a focus on smaller and underrepresented cinemas from Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania, the collection argues for the continuing relevance of the concept of ‘Balkan cinema’. This edited collection examines post-2008 developments in Balkan cinema in terms of aesthetics and industry. It provides critical and comprehensive profiles of the cinematic output in each Balkan country, while stressing transnational links, global networks and cross-cultural exchanges.