A small village located at an altitude of 1.300 meters above sea level, which is only 60 kilometers from Podgorica - Kučka Korita was an inspiration Filip Rašović for the documentary. Thus, his film "Cučka korita: Coexistence at the Crossroads of Time" will be available from tonight on the YouTube platform from 20 p.m.
While filming this film, Rašović explored the unique area of Kučki Korita, because this place is also known for the beautiful Grlo sokolovo viewpoint, one of the most impressive natural wonders of this region. The film was created within the project "Kučka korita - interethnic relations in Kuči", supported by the Fund for the Protection and Realization of Minority Rights of Montenegro.
This is not the first time that Rašović has dealt with a topic in documentaries, but through his new work he tried to present the challenges faced by the inhabitants of that region and how well they manage to balance between traditional animal husbandry and modern tourism.
"Kučka Korita, like many places in Montenegro, has been attracting people for centuries because of its beauty. In the past, animal husbandry was the dominant economic branch, as people here raised cattle to survive, as it was one of the few ways to ensure their existence. Now the situation is completely different - the modern way of life allows people to get food in the grocery store, and jobs are mostly in cities, which changes the role of the mountain. The mountain now serves more as an oasis of peace, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, where people come to connect with nature and enjoy its beauty", explains Rašović and points out that today the locals find a balance between animal husbandry, which is part of their tradition, and modern tourism.
"Although animal husbandry is less prevalent, it is still present, more out of love for tradition and the rural way of life, than out of necessity. Tourists, on the other hand, are increasingly coming in search of fresh air and silence. This transition makes this moment in the history of Korita unique - a period when the old way of life is being practiced and a new future is being built at the same time," adds Rašović.
In the film, he says, he focused on preserving the specific moment in which Kučka Korita is located.
"There are still herders, but an increasing number of cottages are being built every year. This is a transitional period in the history of Korita - the past was related to cattle breeding, while the future, apparently, is related to tourism. In the past, people were forced to lead a nomadic lifestyle, raising cattle because it was the only way to survive in the harsh summer conditions. Today, people come to escape from the busy life in the city, to rest in nature, enjoy the silence of the mountains and freshen up with the mountain air. Regarding environmental challenges, unfortunately, not everyone is aware of how important it is to preserve nature. Although I did not discuss this issue in detail in the film, I believe that people should be urged to protect nature as much as possible - to dispose of garbage in a suitable place or return it to the city. This responsible attitude towards nature is not only important for our mountains, but also for our cities, homes, and the entire environment in which we live", reminds Rašović.
Through the film, he touched on the story of the coexistence of people of different faiths who live in this region. The Kuča riverbeds are inhabited by the Orthodox population from Kuč and the Catholic population from Zatrijepč and Koć, who used the area together throughout history. Although they were territorially divided, says the interlocutor of "Vijesti", they jointly shared the natural resources necessary for survival, such as pastures and water sources.
"That life together throughout the ages was not just mere survival, but numerous friendships, godparents and marriages arose from it. Today, it is especially important to remember those relationships, because togetherness throughout history has enabled us to overcome many challenges. In these times of division, it is important to preserve that spirit of community, because it has sustained us through difficult times and represents the foundation of our future," he notes.
Considering that his interlocutors are people who are not often or never in front of the cameras, Rašović is delighted with the ease with which their presentations enabled him to convey the story and image of Koriti.
“Every word they spoke was sincere and came from deep experience. Although they did not hear each other's answers, their stories perfectly matched and complemented each other, which gave the film additional weight and credibility, without a predetermined script."
In our country, documentary films of this type are not shot that often, and Rašović has been working on this one for several years. Apart from the shots, finding interlocutors, making a good story, he reveals what other challenges he faced during the filming:
"For several years now, I have been thinking daily about topics related to my region, in order to get to know it better and present it to the general public through my films, keeping it from being forgotten. Thanks to the support of the Fund for the Protection and Realization of Minority Rights of Montenegro, the challenges of shooting this film, which arose from the project "Kučka Korita - Inter-ethnic relations in Kuči", were successfully overcome. As for me personally, going to Korito to shoot a film required a lot of time and organization, because it was my second job in addition to my regular one. Working on a film requires responsibility and seriousness, because only with dedication can you expect a quality end result," he admits.
As he himself has already mentioned, he spends a lot of time in Kuči because his family also originates from that region. There are also numerous stories that he heard about his area as a boy, thanks to which he got to know the area even more.
"I spent a good part of my childhood in Kuče, in my village Fundini, but also as a guest in other Kuče villages. At the moment, my obligations and pace of life do not allow me to go as often as I would like, but I know that in the future, when circumstances permit, I will spend more time in Kuči. My wife is also from Kuč, from Ubal, so I believe that over time we will spend more and more time together there, cultivating a connection with our region".
In the previous film about Fudina, you brought some interesting historical data, while in this film the emphasis is on coexistence and cooperation regardless of religious and national differences.
"The essence and purpose of Korita is changing, as are those who live on it, so it is important to preserve the story of harmony and togetherness," emphasizes Rašović.
As he says, the film will be available on YouTube due to its accessibility to a wide audience, while he has not seriously thought about festivals.
"If the opportunity arises, I would like to show the film at a festival as well. My primary wish is that someone who watches the film in these times of division hears a message about how our ancestors, through harsh conditions, managed to build not only a common life, but also friendships, which is a value that should be nurtured even today," he concludes. Rasovic.
Bonus video:
