Kosovo: Fragile Peace

200253 min 1 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Moira Simpson

Production: Tracey FriesenGraydon McCrea

Script: Moira Simpson

In the heart of Kosovo, an international mission struggles to bring democracy to a land torn apart by bloodshed. As Director of Democratization for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, Canadian lawyer Carolyn McCool is trying to build bridges between Kosovo Albanians and Serbs. Her greatest challenge is to ensure Serb participation in the region's first free central election. A 1999 NATO bombing campaign halted an attempt by Serb forces under Slobodan Milosevic to eliminate Albanians from Kosovo. But it has not brought peace.

As Carolyn strives to help stabilize a war-ravaged land, she is joined by her 20-year-old daughter Kate. Documenting her adventures in a video diary, Kate travels with a musical roadshow to generate grassroots support for the election among Albanian and Serb youth. As polling day draws near, tensions mount. If democracy fails, will the cycle of violence escalate? Through the eyes of mother and daughter, this film offers a rare glimpse into the front lines of democracy-building and the subtleties of life in a post-conflict society.

Subject categories


  • War, Conflict and Peace > Bosnia, Croatia and SerbiaPeace and PeacekeepingWomen
  • Politics and Government > DemocracyPeace and PeacekeepingWar and Conflict
  • Foreign Countries > Eastern Europe and BalkansInternational OrganizationsInternational Perspectives

Credits


director
Moira Simpson
writer
Moira Simpson
director of photography
Moira Simpson
location sound
Moira Simpson
producer
Tracey Friesen
associate producer
Colleen Leung
editor
Debra Rurak
composer
Dennis Burke
sound supervisor
Gael MacLean
additional camera
Kate Oja
Srdjan Slavkovic
sound video diary
Kate Oja
narrator
Holly Burke
assistant editing
R. Neil Thompson
Tyronne L'Hirondelle
translator
Fisnik Preniqi
Divna Stakic
Gordana Sokic
still photography
Lubomir Kotek
Kate Oja
Moira Simpson
Srdjan Slavkovic
musician
Mike Braverman
Joseph Pepe Danza
Dennis Burke
additional music
Sanja Ilic
Besart Hysniu
Kadri Hysniu
Xhevdet Gashi
dialogue editor
Christine McLeod
sound effects editor
Patrick Haskill
re-recording mixer
Bill Sheppard
Dean Giammarco
post-production sound
Cinesonic Productions Inc.
re-recording
Cinesonic Productions Inc.
video post production services
Rainmaker Digital Pictures
production clerk
Christine Sears
production supervisor
Kathryn Lynch
program administrator
Bruce Hagerman
executive producer
Graydon McCrea

Awards


  • Award for Most Inspirational Short film - given by the Youth Jury (ages 13+)Reel to Real International Film Festival for Youth and Families