Complete the documentary - The Partisan Necropolis

Hi, my name is Chris Leslie and I am a BAFTA Scotland New Talent filmmaker and photographer and the director and producer of the documentary The Partisan Necropolis - A 70-minute feature-length documentary with a 52-minute broadcast edit.

2 MINUTE TRAILER:

The Partisan Memorial Cemetery

The Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, constructed between 1959 and 1965, stands as a poignant tribute to the Yugoslav Partisans who fought against the Independent State of Croatia, a Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy puppet state during World War II. Designed by the eminent architect Bogdan Bogdanović, the site is recognized as a National Monument of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Today, this once-hallowed ground lies in neglect and disrepair, marred by swastikas and other far-right graffiti. The cemetery, now largely abandoned, is perceived by many locals as a haven for drug users and drinkers, overshadowed by its deteriorating condition.

The most devastating act of vandalism occurred in June 2022 when most of the 700 stone flowers, each inscribed with the name of an anti-fascist fighter, were shattered by sledgehammers overnight. No witnesses came forward, and no one has been held accountable.

The cemetery’s significance is a matter of fierce debate. Some residents and politicians dismiss it as a relic of communism, irrelevant to their history, while others vehemently deny its status as a cemetery. Conversely, for many, the Partisan Memorial Cemetery is a sacred site, a symbol of resistance against fascism, and for some families, it remains the final resting place of their loved ones.

Sixty years after its inauguration, the cemetery has become an ideological battleground, emblematic of the broader European struggle with rising right-wing sentiment and historical revisionism. The original purpose and message of the site have been obscured, and today, it serves as a flashpoint for divided opinions. It’s now listed as one of the most at risk heritage sites in Europe.

What is this documentary about? What will we see?

This documentary will explore the history and contested legacy of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar, making it the silent protagonist of the story. It will begin with the cemetery's inception in the 1960s, highlighting Bogdanović’s vision through his rarely seen sketches and photographs.

The film will combine interviews with diverse perspectives, extensive b-roll from Mostar, archival footage, and real-time scenes and tours of the site, avoiding prolonged talking heads. Experts, including architects, historians and cultural heritage professionals, provide context about the cemetery and Mostar’s socio-political landscape three decades after the war.

Opposing viewpoints challenge the cemetery's relevance, questioning whether anyone is truly buried there, fuelling debate over its future. These are juxtaposed with personal stories of families returning to the site after decades to add an emotional layer, as they search for their loved ones' stone flowers amid the ruins, underscoring themes of loss, resilience, and the universal need for remembrance.

And Why does a Scottish filmmaker from Glasgow want to tell this story?

My connection to Bosnia & Herzegovina began in 1996 when as a volunteer I launched a black-and-white photography project for children in Sarajevo orphanage. Since then I've spent 25 years documenting stories from the region, culminating in a best-selling photo book and directing an award-winning documentary set in Bosnia that earned two Scottish BAFTAs.

Though I'm from Glasgow, Scotland, my small team are all Bosnian, including my project partners - Post Conflict Research Centre. My Director of Photography is Oggi Tomic, who I first trained as a young photographer in Sarajevo orphanage back in 1996.

Visiting the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in November 2021 deeply moved me — its unique design, powerful message, and serene atmosphere make it a place unlike any other. It was the devastating news of the destruction of all the stone flowers in June 2022 that galvanized me to action. It deserves recognition and preservation alongside the Stari Most, not neglect or destruction.

Production Status

Preproduction began in January 2023 and in May 2023 I was awarded funds from the Pulitzer Center that funded an 8-day shoot in Mostar. When we filmed 14 interviews with key players as well as shooting an extensive B-roll of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery and Mostar. In September 2023 I pitched the film at AJB Doc winning a 5000 euro award for archive material from BHRT.

A second shoot was done via a local cameraman documenting events around the 14th of February 2024 - the contested Liberation Day in Mostar and a crowdfunding campaign enabled a third shot on location in March 2024 with myself and Oggi.

As of August 2024 Aljazeera Balkans is interested as a co-production partner and the doc has been placed on their Film Committee List and approved editorially. Altough even with the interest of a broadcaster involved, their limited investment isn’t going to get the film edited and output we still need to get more funders and partners involved.

What this crowdfunding will pay for?

The project is 70% complete and all we need now is the last remaining funds to get the film over the line. These funds will pay to get the film edited and output as a feature-length cut and a 52-minute edit for broadcast. It will pay for an editor, myself - the director and producer and a script consultant to work on the final edit and output.