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Shepherds' Story Fuels Democracy Lessons
6 Nov
Summary
- Filmmakers screened 'To Hold a Mountain' for shepherds in highlands.
- Montenegro canceled military training on ancestral pastures.
- Film influenced government decision, promoting democracy.
Filmmakers Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić journeyed to the Montenegrin highlands to screen "To Hold a Mountain" for the shepherds featured in their documentary. The film, which chronicles the fight to preserve ancestral pastures in Sinjajevina from becoming a military training ground, has achieved significant impact.
After years of filming and community organizing, Montenegro's government officially canceled the military training plan in July. This decision was influenced by the documentary's powerful storytelling about the local community. The filmmakers even brought their own electricity to the remote screening for the shepherds.
The success of the film led to an unexpected turn, with Montenegro's Prime Minister and President attending the screening. The president expressed gratitude to the filmmakers, stating they had been taught democracy. "To Hold a Mountain" was subsequently chosen as Montenegro's official submission for the international feature Oscar.
