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documentary by
Goran Radovanovic
It started as a small student-led grass roots movement
with dream for free media and free elections. Without leaders or
any structure, the OTPOR movement spread throughout the country and became a
people's movement and the greatest threat to Yugoslavia's entrenched
strongman, Slobodan Milosevic, in over ten years.
This is the remarkable story of OTPOR and its efforts to save
Serbia, and the rest of the country, from a dictator and the sacrifices
they would have to make in the process.
This one-hour documentary follows OTPOR from its early days
to becoming the national symbol of resistance: the clenched fist. From
downtown Belgrade to the countryside, we follow several OTPOR members
and their families continuing the history of youth resistance that has
become a tradition in Yugoslavia for generations.
After wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, the youth of Serbia
wanted peace and a change of leadership. But OTPOR faced what seemed like
an impossible mission - bringing together the regime's fractious opposition
into a single statement.
How did they do it? In true grass-roots style - the t-shirts,
the graffiti, the street protests, the rock concerts, going door-to-door
with the message that it can be done and with slogans that become enormously
popular, "KILL YOURSELF SLOBO AND SAVE SERBIA" and "HE'S
FINISHED!" Milosevic can be beaten if we come together and use our
power in the election! That is the meaning of OTPOR's symbol, the clenched
fist.
We interview the Professor... the Theologian... the Actress...
the Student... the Candidate for Mayor... the Designer of OTPOR's famous
symbol... and witness their commitment to the movement.
We follow the final days of the election campaign, and see
the State propaganda that fills the airwaves with the same hatred that
brought Milosevic to power. We see political commercials from both sides
(and some hilarious satirical OTPOR spots). We were there for the voting,
the tense wait for the results... and the explosive reactions. Hundreds
of thousands hit the streets of Belgrade and other cities to tell Milosevic
and his cronies that their corrupt regime was finished. And, we were there
with the only camera at the doors of Parliament to capture thousands of
protestors storming the building!
It's an inspiring story of struggle, of dreams, and of success.
OTPOR
The Fight to Save Serbia
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