Never Been Better/Nikdy nebylo líp

Thursday | April 26 | 8 pm

Czech Republic | 2006 | 65 minutes | screenwriter, director: Ivana Miloševič | director of photography: Gašper Šnuderl | editing: Evženie Brabcová

A Bosnian director living in the Czech Republic returns to her native country and gives a portrait of the Balkans. After ten years in exile, Miloševič opens painful topics, which agitate this troubled part of Europe, connecting them with her pragmatic approach to Czech citizenship.

The original title of this film by a Bosnian director Ivana Miloševič was „Ten years after“. It was to reflect her ten years spent in the Czech Republic. The title was changed to „Never Been Better“ during the final phases of the shooting and better describes the author´s attitude to her native country showing she is not indifferent to the contemporary situation in this restless region.

After the initial montage of war reports, the director invites us on a journey corresponding with a Bosnian proverb: „To understand your country you have to set out on a path of songs.“ Music plays a crucial part in the film. Traditionally, songs reflect all passions and injustice of the Balkan nations. The image of contemporary situation in the coutries torn by war agonies emerges from various encounters. Although the film touches upon the political situation of Bosnia, in its form it is rather an apolitical probe into the soul of the Bosnian people.

By reflecting the contemporary situation on the Balkans, the director unfolds her own attitudes and views. She is intuitive in the selection of shots in the editing process. The film closes by her vow during a ceremony of becoming a Czech citizen, this change, however, is only seen from the practical point of view. Miloševič is not dogmatic in her method nor presented views, she allows enough space for the spectator´s own reflections and views.

Petr Vlček