DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT A KRAJINA VILLAGE ITS PEOPLE REFUSE TO FORGET COMPLETES FILMING

The feature-length documentary about Trnovo, a village in the municipalities of Šipovo and Mrkonjić Grad, will preserve its history, traditions and the stories of generations who have remained connected to their homeland. Featuring more than 20 interviewees, the film is expected to premiere in late December.

The village of Trnovo, located in the municipalities of Šipovo and Mrkonjić Grad, is soon to have its own cinematic story – one dedicated to preserving its history, traditions, people and way of life for future generations.

Filming of the feature-length documentary has recently been completed, following a process that began in June 2025 and concluded in October 2026. The film was shot over 17 days in total, including 11 days in Trnovo and its surrounding area, while the remaining six days were spent in Serbia's Vojvodina region, documenting the stories of people originally from this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The premiere is expected in late December this year.

FROM KRAJINA TO VOJVODINA: A STORY THAT CONNECTS HOMELANDS

Parts of the documentary were filmed in Novi Sad, Čurug, Bečej and Sombor – towns where many people originally from Trnovo and other parts of Bosanska Krajina now live.

One of the distinctive features of the project is that filming took place throughout all four seasons, capturing the changing landscapes, natural surroundings and atmosphere of the village at different times of the year. The passage of time is also an important element of the film's narrative.

The documentary is structured as a chronological journey through Trnovo's past and present, beginning with its history and archaeological heritage before moving towards contemporary life and the question of the village's future.

MORE THAN 20 INTERVIEWEES AND STORIES FROM DIFFERENT GENERATIONS

The film is directed and written by Aleksandar Bijelić, who also serves as the guide and narrator throughout this cinematic journey.

Alongside historical and archaeological topics, the documentary explores the social life of the village and the everyday experiences of its residents. It features stories about childhood across several generations, school days, traditional gatherings, community celebrations, infrastructure development, harvests, haymaking and other customs and events that shaped life in Trnovo.

The film also examines the area's geographical characteristics, terrain and natural features, with its final chapter turning towards the future of the village.

More than 20 interviewees from different generations appear in the documentary. Their testimonies, memories and personal experiences provide a valuable record of the people and times that shaped this part of Bosanska Krajina.

A PROJECT SUPPORTED BY PEOPLE WITH ROOTS IN TRNOVO

Producing the documentary was a demanding undertaking, with almost every filming session bringing unexpected challenges, ranging from adverse weather conditions to the organisation of the crew and participants.

However, the project would not have been possible without the financial support of people originally from Trnovo, who recognised the importance of such a film and provided the resources needed for its production.

Bijelić says that making a film about his own village is both a great honour and an even greater responsibility, particularly when the people whose story he is telling have placed their trust in him and supported his vision.

Their commitment, he believes, demonstrates how deeply the people of Trnovo remain connected to their roots and how much they value film as a means of preserving their cultural and local heritage.

A FILM TO KEEP TRNOVO ALIVE IN THE MEMORY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS

The director believes that the documentary's value will grow over time, as it will remain a lasting record of the homeland, its people, traditions and way of life for generations to come.

As he points out, the project represents much more than a film – it is an effort to preserve the identity of a place and the memory of the generations who built its community.

"I believe this film will become increasingly valuable as time goes by. Future generations will be able to see what our homeland was like and understand just how important one's roots and place of origin are," Bijelić said.

He emphasised that he had invested all the knowledge and experience he had gained so far, as well as his heart and soul, into the project, adding that he was proud of what had been achieved.

The next stage is editing, after which the documentary will take its final shape. Nevertheless, based on the screenplay, which Bijelić developed throughout the filming process, and the footage collected, expectations are high.

One sentence featured in the film perhaps captures the character, determination and spirit of the people of Trnovo better than anything else:

"Even when Trnovci don't want to, they will; even when they can't, they can!"

These words could well serve as the perfect introduction to a documentary that will present Trnovo to audiences in late December – telling the story of its past, present and the people who, wherever they may live, have never forgotten their homeland.