The Battlefield of Simeun đak

TV Film Based on the fiction of Petar Kočić

Directed by Petar Zec
Production: Independent radio and TV station Banja Luka
July-October 1999

Introduction

Petar Kočić (1879-1896), the tribune of the people, the writer and the rebel served his people and homeland by his harmonious artistic and political work. He was the first among "the poor enriched with pride" (the words of Ivo Andrić) who was involved in modern European way of living.

Petar Kočić was the first writer who introduced the character of the peasant from Krajina (the border area of B&H) in Serbian and European literature. The power of his narration promoted the unique characters of boastful fighter Simeun Đak and humorous David Štrbac. Simeun's mystic violent spirit transforms the lie into the truth, while witty David makes fun of him in the way typical for the people of that region. That makes them Don Quijote and Sancho Pansa from Krajina. The characters of sensual and passionate Mrguda, gentle and humble Tuba, wretched misanthrope priest from Mračaj who is deeply conflicted with the outside world and himself, are also unforgettable.

The narration gift of Kočić has a dramatic essence. His gift can be clearly observed in original characters, vivid dialogues, concise scenery, atmosphere of mixed tragedy and comedy, picturesque landscape and fascinating songs. Kočić's classical prose is universal. It goes beyond local, traditional customs of the region affirming general, human, poetic issues.

I have used the cycle of Kočić's short stories about Simeun Đak (Serbian counterpart of baron Minchausen) as a base for my screenplay of this TV film, including as well other short stories: "The priest of Mračaj", "Mrguda", "Tuba", "Through the Mist", "Jablan". People are gathered around a plum-brandy boiler near Gomionica monastery, listening to the boastful stories of peacemaker Simeun Đak about his accomplishments.

Within a time, the listeners are getting more interested in these unimaginable events created in the flights of imagination of this story-teller and patriot. The peasants can understand why he is lying excepting him as a fighter as avenger of wretched people. At the same time the events around the brandy boiler are taking place we witness two unfortunate love stories: Tuba and Blagoja's and Mrguda and Mika's. Both stories are filled with true lyricism and they remain unfulfilled dreams of the youth.

"Is it a drinking-bout or a religious act? Is it a theatre or evening gathering of wretched people? Have they gathered to keep an eye on their brandy or to preserve the national spirit? A bit of everything and makes it our history and our truth." (Isidora Sekulić)

TV film "The battlefield of Simeun Đak" is an attempt to bring to life destinies of Kočić's characters both the individuals and the communities. Kočić's artistic work powerfully represents inner drama and temperament of the people from Krajina.

Scenarist and director: Petar Zec

Independent radio and TV station Banja Luka in production of Zoran Kalinić

presents Slobodan Ćustić

in the film of Petar Zec