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 AMBASSADORS LEARN LANGUAGES (30 minutes) Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy Director: Šemsudin Gegic Producer: Emir Cengic Description: In 1992, the Medjasi Children's Embassy evacuated children from the Bjelave orphanage in Sarajevo to Italy. Although the move was made as a wartime precaution and meant to be temporary, of the group of forty-three children, only a handful returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some were awarded to Italian families, others converted to Christianity and most adopted another identity. A number of the children are feared to have become victims of criminal gangs in Italy. In some cases siblings were separated with some remaining at the orphanage in Sarajevo. One of those who stayed behind was Biba, who remained in Sarajevo while her brother and sister were sent away. Through love and determination she is eventually reunited with both, and is able to bring them to visit the grave of the mother they never met. Biography: Šemsudin Gegic was born in 1951 in Zavidovici, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated from the Drama Academy in Belgrade. In 1995 he attended a specialized yearlong course on directing in Milan, supported by a fellowship provided by BHTV. He has won numerous national and international awards for his plays and documentaries. Contact Information: Emir Cengic, Producer Flash Production Kolodvorska 12 71000 Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina E-mail: flash@flash.com.ba |
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