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Club Fire: Survivors Recall Hellish Escape
21 Aug
Summary
- Fire killed 63 at Kočani nightclub due to one exit.
- Club exceeded capacity with young attendees.
- Film uses 20+ first-hand accounts of the tragedy.
On March 16, 2025, a catastrophic fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, claimed 63 lives and injured hundreds. The tragedy unfolded in a venue with a single exit, inadequate fire safety equipment, and an overcrowded capacity that doubled its intended limit, primarily with attendees aged 16 to 25.
Milcho Manchevski's self-funded documentary, "Good People," premieres at Sarajevo, presenting a stark and harrowing portrait of the event. Rather than delving into political failures, the film focuses on the lived experiences of those affected, featuring over 20 direct accounts from survivors and witnesses.
The film's minimalist approach, featuring interviews against plain backdrops, emphasizes the raw testimonies. Survivors share their experiences navigating the chaotic stampede towards the sole exit, describing suffocating conditions and the horrific reality of people being trapped and killed under others, burning alive.
"Good People" reveals how the initial moments of the fire were mistaken for a performance effect, with flames spreading rapidly. The documentary eschews narratives of heroism, instead highlighting primal survival instincts and the profound indignity felt by survivors, serving as a stark reminder of societal fragility.
