Everyday life in the Bosnian War - What happened in Srebrenica? | DW Documentary

Key Concepts:

• Bosnian War (1992-1995)
• Yugoslavia breakup
• Ethnic cleansing
• Srebrenica genocide
• UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force)
• Safe haven
• Mixed marriages
• War crimes
• Nationalism and Chauvinism
• Identity and memory
• Forgiveness and acceptance
• Intergenerational trauma

1. Introduction and Early Life:

• Alisa, born in 1983, recounts her childhood in Yugoslavia before its collapse. Her father, Seafo, filmed her extensively.
• Her parents were in a "mixed marriage" (Serbian mother, Bosnian father), which became problematic after Yugoslavia broke up.
• In 1991, Yugoslavia began to break up into six countries, and nationalists came to power.

2. The Outbreak of War and Separation:

• Early April 1992: War breaks out in Bosnia, with the first bombs falling on Sarajevo.
• Alisa's parents decide to send her to her grandparents in Lubovia, Serbia, for safety, separating her from them for the duration of the war.
• The family avoids discussing the Bosnian War, both during and after the conflict.

3. The VHS Tape and Alisa's Journey:

• Alisa's only remaining connection to her father is a VHS tape he filmed for her during the war.
• She embarks on a journey to find out more about her father and the war, primarily searching for Hassan, a friend of her father's.

4. The Father's Perspective (via VHS):

• Seafo films life during the war, including neighbors, refugees, and daily life in Sarajevo.
• He expresses his love for Alisa and assures her they will see each other soon.
• He records the tape so that Alisa will remember him if something happens to him.

5. Conversations with Family:

• Alisa speaks with her aunt, seeking Hassan's contact information to learn more about her father's thoughts and experiences.
• She talks to her mother about why her father returned to Srebrenica, despite the danger.
• Her mother reveals that Seafo returned partly because of her (Alisa's mother) being in Serbia, hoping to save their marriage.

6. Mixed Marriages and the War:

• Over 50% of marriages in former Yugoslavia were "mixed marriages," which became a problem during the war.
• Alisa questions how her parents navigated love and life amidst the constant threat of war.

7. Visiting Lubovia and Memories:

• Alisa travels to Lubovia, Serbia, with her mother, aunt, and daughter Sophia, where she spent her war years with her grandparents.
• She plans to leave Sophia with family and continue her search for her father's story.
• Her aunt recounts the hardships of the war, including bombings and suffering.

8. Seeking Information from Acquaintances:

• Alisa contacts Jifa and Zo, acquaintances of her father, seeking information and contacts who knew him during the war.
• She learns that Seafo filmed the people of Srebrenica for the tape with Jifa's help.

9. Srebrenica as a "Safe Haven":

• The video touches on the influx of refugees into Srebrenica, a town ill-equipped to handle the massive population increase.
• It mentions the UNPROFOR's presence and the declaration of Srebrenica as a "safe haven" by French General Phipe in 1993.

10. Encounters in Srebrenica:

• Alisa visits the old gym in Srebrenica, now a refugee hangout, and interviews locals about life during the war.
• She speaks with Jiller, who recalls Seafo's attachment to Srebrenica and its people.
• Jiller expresses skepticism about the UNPROFOR's ability to protect the population, describing the Dutch troops as inexperienced and ill-equipped.

11. The Impact of War on Childhood:

• Alisa's grandmother recalls Alisa's sadness and fear during the war, her constant worry about her parents, and her habit of staring towards Bosnia.
• She describes Alisa's father as someone who struggled to make a living but did his best.

12. Discoveries about Parents:

• Alisa learns about her parents' divorce, a fact she was unaware of during her childhood.
• She sees footage of her mother working at a drugstore in Srebrenica and a message from her father expressing his love.

13. Visiting Pre-War Hangouts:

• Alisa visits a former hangout spot with friends, recalling happy memories before the war.
• They discuss the sudden and unexpected nature of the conflict, highlighting the peaceful coexistence that existed before.

14. Humanitarian Crisis and UNPROFOR:

• The video shows footage of a 17-truck convoy carrying aid being blocked by Serbian forces, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Srebrenica.
• UN Commander Rose expresses optimism about a ceasefire, but the situation remains grim.

15. Identifying People in the Tape:

• Alisa and an acquaintance watch the tape together, trying to identify people and recall their fates.
• They discuss the loss of youth and innocence caused by the war.

16. The Decision Not to Talk to Sophia:

• Alisa explains her decision not to discuss the war with her young daughter, Sophia, believing she is too young to understand.
• She hopes to explain things in a way that Sophia will understand without fostering hatred.

17. Reunions and Memories:

• Alisa meets with her aunt, who emphasizes her father's love for her.
• She sees footage of her uncle Seat sending greetings to her during the war.

18. The Fall of Srebrenica and Genocide:

• The video depicts the chaotic scenes of the fall of Srebrenica, with people fleeing and the Dutch battalion moving towards Potachari.
• It describes the separation of Muslim men and boys from women and children by Ratko Mladić's forces.
• It highlights the massacre of over 8,000 Muslim men and boys, the exhumation and scattering of bodies to hide war crimes, and the failure of the UN "safe area" to provide protection.

19. Mother's Escape and Trauma:

• Alisa's mother recounts her escape through the forest to Tuzla, describing the hardships, hunger, and constant fear.
• She recalls taking food from the dead and drinking contaminated water.

20. Meeting with Survivors and Witnesses:

• Alisa interviews Marinko Seca, a journalist, who believes the Srebrenica tragedy could have been prevented if there had been the will to do so.
• He criticizes the international community's role and the lasting impact of nationalism and chauvinism.

21. The Memorial Cemetery:

• The video shows the memorial cemetery in Potočari, where newly identified victims are buried each year.
• Alisa learns that her father's remains were found alongside hundreds of others, including a one-day-old baby.

22. Encounters with Aid Workers:

• Alisa meets a former Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff member who worked in Srebrenica in 1995.
• The aid worker recounts a symbolic moment of a father handing over his baby, knowing he would be killed.
• Alisa expresses the relief of having a grave to visit after years of uncertainty.

23. Discovering a Half-Sister:

• Alisa learns that her father remarried after her parents' divorce and had a daughter named Fatima (Mima).
• She sees a photo of Fatima and is told she looks like her.

24. Final Reflections and Legacy:

• Alisa's mother tells her that her father loved music and dressed like John Travolta.
• Seafo's tape ends with him expressing his love for Alisa and urging her never to forget him.
• Alisa concludes that her father wanted her to enjoy life, care for others, and remain free from hate.
• She emphasizes that her father loved people of all ethnicities and religions and that she wants to pass on this freedom to her daughter, Sophia.

25. Conclusion:

• Alisa's journey is a quest to understand her father and the war that shaped her life. She seeks to find peace and pass on a legacy of love and tolerance to future generations. The tape serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of remembering the past to build a better future.