I am from Titov Veles

Directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska, 2007
Cast: Labina Mitevska, Ana Kostovska, Nikolina Kujaca.

By Rada Djurica

Three sisters — Slavica, Sapho and Afrodita — live in the almost deserted Macedonian town of Titov Veles, where the late Tito had built a factory that polluted the town for years. Now there's no factory, just people dying premature deaths from cancer. One sister leaves for Skoplje in order to travel to Greece and visit their mother, who had left many years ago. Another sister stays to look after her drug-addicted older sister and to look for a husband. One sister has no ability to speak; the other can't live without dope. For them, there is no way out.

Teona Strugar Mitevska, the director of this Macedonian drama, is the sister of well-known actress Labina Mitevska, the favorite actress of Michael Winterbottom, who directed Welcome to Sarajevo. This is Teona's third film.

I'm from Titov Veles combines the reality of television drama with magical realism, a dark sense of humor and really good performance from all three actresses. Teona finds beauty in characters facing tough situations, within the stunning setting of Macedonia. This is a story that examines the enormous will to survive.

Belgrade International Film Festival 2008