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FANTASY

10 Aug 2007

FANTASY , Documentary, 44 min
Author: Aldin Arnautovic

As long as there are wars, there will be warriors. Even though the topic of this film is applicable to all the post-war societies and individuals, this is a story of 1992-1995 war veterans of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Following the life stories of three men who regularly meet at group therapy sessions, the film shows how the PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects a human's mind. Also, through the confessions of the main characters it questions the system of values in „post-war“society.

Zerin is an ex miner. He has no fear on anything. Dangerous situations are completely normal for him even today. He was wounded four times. Two times in war and two times in peace-time.

Aleksandar is ex Special Forces. Although has could be wealthy member of local mafia he decided to commit his life to his family. Today he is working as an illegal taxi driver dreaming about any legal job.

Muhamed is an ex artist. He was making for living as a singer and guitar player. Today, his PTSP destroy any will for normal life. He is forced to make for living by singing in the restaurants. At the same time his psychological state is one step from the suicide.

„Fantasy“ is a film that visually weaves two different, parallel stories. The first one is story about a fantasy that the psychiatrist and therapists practice as a therapy for the mentally diseased and the second one is story about the life of people having PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Patients at the therapeutic session ultimately reveal their fantasies and the viewer can keep his own for himself.

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Author's view

The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina takes lives even today in peace. More silently than before but still equally effective. Daily newspapers report on sucides on a daily basis.

For the conservative Bosnian society the PTSD is uncomprehensive. A person having the syndrome quite often is abandoned by everybody. The state usually does not care even for the healthy ones and the family, in many cases, has no understanding for the war injury that is not visible. PTSD destroys families and lives of those affected.

The PTSD can affect any person who experienced a life threathening fear. Some two million of BiH citizens are belived to fit into this category. Unless the PTSD is properly treated, after two years it can totally change ones personality.

Most of the people who dared to admit that they suffer of PTSD have lost their jobs. They live on the social care in the state that cannot even care for the employed people. Many of them have children who live this tragedy together with their parents.

BH authorities don't have any systematic approach to PTSD problem. This society is facing a problem which can endanger lives of thousands of „secondary traumatized“ members of PTSD patient family.

Author's biography

Aldin Arnautovic has worked on a number of television and documentary projects. As a co-founder and employee of XYFILMS production from Sarajevo he produced several documentary series and films about war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The TV programs he worked on were screened on different TVs and festivals worldvide. As a journalist he worked for several TV and radio statons in BiH. He advanced his knowledge on expirience at some outstanding journalist school as BBC World Service.