Sales agency Taskovski Films has picked up “The Landscape and the Fury,” directed by Nicole Vögele, which will have its world premiere in the international competition at Visions du Réel.
The documentary, produced by Aline Schmid of Beauvoir Films, was shot on the Bosnian-Croatian border, which is also the outer border for the European Union. The film unveils the struggle of refugees navigating this treacherous terrain, where mines from the Balkan War lurk in the soil and political borders define lives. The refugees are brutally chased across the border out of the EU into the darkness of the woods. In Ravnice, the villagers know of the fate that awaits these refugees; they were once in their shoes. They provide them with a moment of respite and safety in the old school building, far away from official camps and NGOs.
Taskovski previously worked with Schmid and Vögele on their film “Closing Time.” Vögele’s debut feature-length documentary premiered in 2018 at the Locarno Film Festival, and was awarded with the Special Jury Prize of the Cineasti del Presente competition.
Irena Taskovski, CEO and head of acquistions at Taskovski, said: “As someone who is deeply rooted in humanist values and a peace activist from the former Yugoslavia, this film holds immense significance for me. Nicole’s unique style of capturing the essence of human nature painfully reminds us that the war is never ‘theirs,’ but ours, everybody’s.
“It’s a reminder of our shared humanity and of the importance of resisting forces that seek to dehumanize others. In today’s world, the film resonates deeply with the pressing challenges we are facing and acts as a powerful wake-up call to prioritize peace and compassion.”
Vögele said: “‘The Landscape and the Fury’ uncovers the hidden brutality of EU border policies that lurks within the historically and politically charged landscape. It exposes the juxtaposition of pain against nature’s tranquil facade, blending the present struggles with echoes of the past. Through perseverance and intimate observation, we capture the floating truth of human resilience and suffering, challenging political narratives and amplifying voices long ignored.”
