Intro: Documentaries about Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia was a socialist country that was made up of six nations: Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro. It dissolved in the early 1990s after years of ethnic tension following the death of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. The country of Yugoslavia was established on April 27th, 1918, and it would last for nearly 70 years before war broke out within its borders.
This is a list of documentaries that reveal how a socialist state and federation was turned into a chaotic cluster with 6 different countries all vying for power.
1. The Balkans in Flames - The Ethnic Conflicts - Documentaries about Yugoslavia
The Balkans In Flames, a three-part documentary, takes an in-depth look at the collapse of the former Socialist Federation of Yugoslavia. With help from historical pundits and modern-day witnesses, the series provides analysis as to how a political and social vision ultimately fell apart. Through examination of traces left in the country's history, it is revealed that five nationalities speaking three languages and worshipping four religions resided in Yugoslavia over centuries. Ethnic tensions began to bubble up in the early 20th century, but strong leader Tito succeeded in his mission to create a unified, peaceful Yugoslavia after World War II. Unfortunately, after Tito's passing, the nation tumbled into despair and destitution.
2. The Balkans in Flames - Civil Wars - Documentaries about Yugoslavia War
It is 1990, marking the first free elections in Yugoslavia since World War II. The hour of the nationalists had come, setting into motion the collapse of the multi-ethnic state. Tragically, this led to civil war and subsequent devastating atrocities such as mass expulsions, systematic rapes, and brutal murders in Croatia and Bosnia. Despite all this, the international community remained largely apathetic for some time.
3. The Balkans in Flames - End of Yugoslavia Civil Wars - Yugoslavia War Documentary
The Srebrenica massacre served as an urgent reminder of the need for international intervention, leading to a peace treaty later that year. However, the fragile situation was soon disrupted by ongoing conflict in Kosovo and NATO saw fit to intervene without a UN mandate – a controversial decision. The resulting hostilities have had a lasting impact on the region's economics, making reconciliation still challenging to this day.
4. The Death of Yugoslavia (1/6) - Documentaries about Yugoslavia War
Yugoslavia disintegrated in a hail of violence after Communism collapsed in the early 1990s. As the new century dawned, it was clear that the West wanted nothing to do with the Balkans.
In this first episode, we witness the beginnings of nationalism in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina as they declare their independence.
You can find the next episodes on YouTube.
5. Borislav Herak: Confessions of a Serbian Monster - Yugoslavia Documentary
Borislav Herak, ex-convict, talks about his childhood in a small town in Serbia. He talks about money, family, friends, school and, most importantly, his crimes. He speaks about his prison term and how he managed to escape from the prison. In this interview, he gives a full confession of all the crimes he committed in different countries.
Conclusions: Documentaries about Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia is a country that doesn’t exist anymore. But it did exist and it was an interesting place. Yugoslavia was a Communist state with six republics that were each different and unique: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia.
It also had a rich cultural heritage with a diverse mix of religions, languages, and ethnicities. Yugoslavia was a place where you could find people living in a small cottage in the countryside and also find skyscrapers in the big cities. It was a place of stark contrasts.
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