Macedonia - France - Belgium - Slovenia
I am from Titov Veles
35mm - color –102’
Direction: Teona Strugar Mitevska
Script: Teona Mitevska
Photography: Virginie Saint Martin
Editing: Jacques Witta
Music: Olivier Samouillan
Cast: Labina Mitevska, Ana Kostovska, Nikolina Kujaca, Xhevdet Jashari, Peter Musevski
Producer: Diana Elbaum, Olivier Rausin
Production: Sisters and Brother Mitevski Productions F. Ruzvelt 4-38 MC-1000 Skopje Tel.: +389 756 90668 Fax: +389 230 64455 info@sistersandbrothermitevski.com
Co- Production: Silkroad Production, Paris Entre Chien et Loup, Bruxelles Vertigo, Ljubljana Climax Films, Bruxelles Araneo Belgium
SYNOPSIS
Set in contemporary Macedonia, the film tells the story of three sisters. Afrodita, the youngest of the three, has not spoken since their father’s death and their mother’s sudden departure. Sapho, the middle sister, is preparing to make a fresh start in life, and drug-addicted Slavica, the oldest, works in a factory. The film centres on the three sisters’ battle to overcome their lot in life, in a ‘city of lost souls’, scarred by industrialisation and environmental damage. The sisters may wilfully transgress accepted codes and yet, at the same time, they long to live in harmony with such codes. Macedonia has seen a period of major upheaval during the last decade, bringing a swathe of social problems in its wake. This is the environment in which the three sisters are trying to find their niche – a place of their own in a world out of joint.
THE DIRECTOR: TEONA STRUGAR MITEVSKA
Born in Skopje on 14.3.1974. She appeared in television films and commercials as well as on the stage between the ages of six and twelve. She later graduated as a graphic de - signer and began her career as an art director in the advertising industry before directing commercials. She received a scholarship to go to the USA where she studied in the Graduate Film Department of New York University. Her silent short, Why is betty boop angry? was followed by another short film, Veta (shown in the Panorama section of the Berlinale in 2001), which was screened at international festivals. Jas sum od Titov Veles is her second feature film.
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
I see this film as a conversion of stagnant pictures, where it is only the characters that move within the frame. I am from Titov Veles is a highly emotional story, a tragedy right from its start and I aim to get right to the stomach of the spectator. You might describe it as taking a long deep breath of very cold air. Although it is the story of a family falling apart, Afrodita’s final act of sacrifice is in essence a noble act and a cry for something that had been, but is no more.
An article I read in a local newspaper in 2003 inspired me to make this film. Two sisters died after a fire broke out at their home. When they were found, one of the sisters was lying next to the door with her head smashed, and the other one lay beside her, hugging her tightly. After some research I learned that both were addicted to heroin.
FILMOGRAPHY
2007 I am from Titov Veles
2003 How i killed a saint
2001 Amer in Amerika (documentary)
2000 Veta (short)
AWARDS
2003 How i killed a saint awards: Crossing Europe Award for the Best film-Crossing Europe, Linz Intl FF, Jury Special Mention-Cinema Jove Intl FF Film Festival, Valencia, Spain, Best Actor-Sarajevo Intl FF
