“One Billion Rising Croatia and Women’s Film Festival joined the cultural centre Ribnjak to mark International Migrants Day. The program included a screening of the documentary “The Taste of Home” (Okus Doma) and a panel discussion “Are we racists?” The film follows a group of migrant asylum seekers (from Syria, Algeria and Nigeria) in Croatia. Together with activists from the Centre for Peace Studies they developed a program on cooking and the sharing of food and stories. After the screening, film director Martina Globočnik, producer Morana Tomljenovic, activist Lucija Mulalić and moderator Aneta Vladimirov talked about today’s situation for migrants in Croatia, concerning race, class and gender and the growing racism in Europe. Our Danijela Stanojevic opened yet another Film festival and OBR event.”

– Rada Boric, One Billion Rising Balkans & Europe Coordinator

Yesterday at the Youth Center Ribnjak, the Women’s Film Festival – House of Women’s Film screened the film “Taste of Home” and held an inspiring panel discussion on the topic “Are We Racists?” featuring Aneta Vladimirov as the moderator, Lucija Mulalić from CMS, director Martina Globočnik, and producer Morana Komljenović.

At the Women’s Film Festival on December 15, 2024, held at the Youth Center Ribnjak, which all day marked International Migrants Day, the theme of migrants and their impact on society was in the spotlight. The panel discussion that followed the film “Taste of Home,” titled “Are We Racists?” covered various aspects, from perceived cultural threats and issues of Islam to questions of asylum seekers and racial attacks. Discussions addressed the connection between racism and nationalism, as well as the intertwining of class issues with race. Instead of turning against each other, we were called to rebel against injustices. Education was highlighted as a key tool for reducing distances among people, while capitalism often hindered coexistence, as emphasized by Martina Globočnik, the film’s director.

Producer Morana Komljenović raised topics such as the group Muhamed in the context of Europe, filming with mobile phones, and more suitable platforms. Although there are positive stories, the dominant narrative remains negative, and politics often plays a key role in this. Lucija Mulalić from CMS highlighted moments of solidarity in the media, as well as the criminalization of those who do not wish to share information.

In Bosnia, we face the same people and situations, where class, race, and gender are inseparable. While many may lose their jobs, status remains for migrants, which is not the case. In Italy, workers are dying in the fields, and a CMS study shows that Roma are a constant target of racism, while refugees, especially Arabs and Palestinians, are also among the most discriminated against.

The women’s issue, anti-Semitism, and white savior feminism were also in focus. Work with Muslim women, hijab, and the perception of Muslim women as barbaric were highlighted by a group from Pula, which protests against “foreign workers” who do jobs that no one else wants to do. Migrants do not threaten our jobs.

Ela (27) stated: “The festival is necessary; it offers an interesting selection of films and rich discussions. The theme of migration is current, and it is essential to talk about it, especially to raise awareness among the broader audience about real issues and provide a wider perspective.”

The program at Ribnjak was well-designed, with events from morning until night. Samane Riehani held a workshop on Iranian dance, and at the children’s playground in Ribnjak Park, the poem “Children from Madina Hussiny’s Playground” by Olja Savičević Ivančević was read, illustrated by Ena Jurov, remembering the tragic death of the girl Madina Hussiny. This was followed by a collective reading of poetry from Palestine, as part of the Initiative for a Free Palestine.

For children and adults who love the Spanish language, the story “Caperucita roja” was held in Croatian with simultaneous translation into Spanish.

We thank Fade In for the donation of the film screening.
The Women’s Film Festival is supported by Živi atelje DK, visit Wintter Bazzar (Ilica 110): https://ziviatelje.dk/en/2024/12/06/2024-winter-bazaar-zimski-bazar/

If you would like to donate and support the Women’s Film Festival, you can do so through this link: https://gogetfunding.com/kuca-zenskog-filma-house-of-womens-film/