In “Around The Balkans In 20 Days,” a VICE documentary, we are taken on a journey through the Balkans in the aftermath of the violent secession of Yugoslavia’s republics in the 1990s. With a rented Yugo as their vehicle, the VICE team travels through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, exploring the region’s history and cultural identity.
The documentary begins with a visit to an amusement park in northern Serbia that recreates the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia under Marshal Tito’s rule. This nostalgic park serves as a stark reminder of the country’s tumultuous history and the complex ethnic and political tensions that led to its violent dissolution.
As the team travels through the region, they meet with locals who share their stories of loss and survival during the conflicts. The documentary provides a sobering look at the long-term effects of ethnic cleansing and genocide, as many families still struggle to come to terms with the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the team visits the town of Srebrenica, where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were massacred by Bosnian Serb forces during the Bosnian War. The VICE team meets with survivors and family members of the victims, who share their harrowing stories and ongoing struggles for justice and closure.
Throughout the documentary, the team also explores the cultural and political differences that still exist between the Balkan nations. From the Orthodox Christian Serbs in Serbia to the predominantly Muslim Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region’s diverse identities continue to shape its social and political landscape.
Overall, “Around The Balkans In 20 Days” provides a thought-provoking look at the legacy of ethnic conflict in the Balkans. Through interviews with survivors, visits to historic sites, and encounters with locals, the documentary offers a nuanced perspective on the region’s complex history and ongoing challenges.