Velimir Čurguz Kazimir

Bitter Medicine

Film plot

The film deals with the events which happened during the "Blood and Honey" exhibition organised in Belgrade, Čačak, Užice and Novi Sad. "Bitter Medicine" is a selection of the footages shot at Ron Haviv´s exhibition and during interviews with the visitors made throughout 2002. What is particularly interesting in the film is the reactions and dialogues of people who participate at the tribunes, and the whole atmosphere surrounding the exhibitions. This is a story about a society in which the feeling of isolation and endangerment, and collective fear prevail. The exhibition was first organised in Belgrade, at the REX Cultural Centre, in March 2002, to be set in Čačak and Užice in March, in Kragujevac in August and, finally in Novi Sad in September. During six months, the period in which the photographs were in Serbia, they provoked strong public reactions and polarisation of public opinion. Facing with the past led to catharsis through opposing opinions of those who condemned the exhibition and those who supported it. The exhibition itself ceased to be the focus of their interest.