Crossing Borders: Forgotten Song and Maldita: A Love Song to Sarajevo

Forgotten Song, a beautiful, moving and poignant musical, is directed by Monika Grzybowska, a filmmaker who "believes in cinema with a mission."

Synopsis: "A young boy comes to the Friendship Settlement, where the Soviet builders of the Palace of Culture and Science lived in the 1950s, in search of accommodation for his grandparents from Ukraine. Here he meets a girl singing in the choir, who becomes his guide. Seemingly, it is a story about love that cannot happen because of the war in Ukraine, but more deeply it is a story about finding your identity. Music is an integral part of the film. It is not only the background of the events narrated in the film, but its equal protagonist."

Music also plays a big part in "Maldita: A Love Song to Sarajevo", directed by Raul de la Fuente Calle and Amaia Remirez. Below is a review by Love Kassim:

Bozo Vreco is a musician from Bosnia who in this film introduces us to a world of melancholy and sorrow as he explains growing up in a war-torn country and loosing his friend at a young age. The artist recalls the people he knew and the life he might have had if he hadn't gone through such a dismal upbringing. The war in Bosnia is repeatedly highlighted.

Bozo wears his hair long with kohl around his eyes and dresses in Kaftans; he spins around singing on stage. He believes that a person who sings songs of courage should present nothing but honesty to their audience. He further explains just how hard it was navigating as a queer person from a background who’s sound has influenced his music.The catchy melodies mixed with Bozo’s unmistakable voice gives the song an unparalleled softness.

I believe that this is the kind of sound that takes us on a journey through time.

His powerful highs and extra soothing lows plus the interplay of rhythm might blow your mind as the rich texture of the vocals pull you right back into place.

This music is calm yet so powerful.

This is an artist who tells us our most fundamental stories about ourselves and lost loved ones and when you listen to Maldita and watch the whole film in general, those stories are as relevant today as they ever were.