[NYC-L] PBS KLA Hatchet Job

[Isa Blumi]

In light of Jeton's report on what is par for the
course in Europe these days...a well-connected insider
tells me there is growing hostility (I stress the
word) in Europe towards Kosova's independence...a
Dutch film-maker's rendition of the Florin Krasniqi
story is not surprising...

Out of curiosity, we have so many young people both in
Kosova and in the diaspora, are any of them studying
or have studied film? While the response to hatchet
jobs are not other hatchet jobs, perhaps the only way
to garner the sympathies of the larger world is
through film. I can think of something like Control
Room and its impact on so many viewers can easily be
reproduced from Kosova's perspective. Open hostility
towards the UN is an excellent topic (and an easy one)
as report after report in the mainstream press about
UN negligence in restraining their "Peace keepers"
from visiting HIV infested bars can nicely fit in with
life outside Prishtina story...and the corruption is
easily documented. 

But perhaps the more compelling story is that of all
of our victims out there. NoT only of the 1998-1999
period but of a lifetime of psychological torment,
economic subordination and political oppression. From
the film-maker's point of view Kosovars are extremely
photogenic and intriguing subjects that would
fascinate US/European audiences. Tying that fact in
with some of the more horrific stories of suffering,
collective and enduring pain would be ve 
--- Jeton Ademaj <jeton at hotmail.com> wrote:

>           === NYC-L: New York City Discussion Forum
> ===
> 
> Hey all
> 
> i just finished watching the latest installment of
> P.O.V. on PBS Channel 13 
> in New York and it was the long awaited film version
> of Stacy Sullivan's 
> journalistic relationship with Florin Krasniqi,
> called "The Brooklyn 
> Connection". The film takes Ms. Sullivan's barely
> contained contempt for 
> Krasniqi's efforts and adds editorial juxtapostions
> from the filmmaker. 
> Essentially the film comes off as a pro-UN,
> pro-internationalist 
> anti-profile, with a strong sub-focus on the US
> gun-control angle. Since i 
> run the NYC chapter of the Pink Pistols, i might be
> more sensitive to 
> anti-2nd Amendment politicking than Florin is, but I
> think another angle 
> manipulated into the film should concern everyone on
> this list:
> 
> Towards the end of the film, with the filmmaker
> following assorted KLA arms 
> shipment routes into Kosove, they show an excerpt of
> Florin describing the 
> UN's moribund bureaucracy, and how one of it's aims
> is to keep Kosova's 
> economy from moving forward too qucikly, so they sit
> on the economy to 
> thwart any unilateral declaration of independence.
> Florin goes on to say 
> that "if need be, we'll get the UN out of here as
> well". The film then 
> juxtaposes that with a KFOR commander describing the
> zero-tolerance KFOR has 
> for armed activity by "extremists"...
> 
> ...well the film ends shortly thereafter, and then
> the filmmaker (not Ms. 
> Sullivan, one Ms. Klaartje Quirijns) begins speaking
> in a talking-head 
> format. She goes on to say that she's frequently
> asked "why did he let u 
> film him, why did he tell u all of these secrets"
> and she offers what 
> appears to be her own analysis, i paraphrase because
> i didnt record the 
> program: "I think Florin wants Kosovo to be back on
> the front burner, to 
> bring attention thats been lost with the war in
> Iraq. As frustration grows 
> with their current situation, they appear to be
> preparing to fight 
> NATO"...this assesment most certainly goes beyond
> what I heard Florin 
> Krasniqi say in the film, which focused on thwarting
> UN obstructionism.
> 
> I understand Florin wanting to bring attention back
> to K, i just wish he had 
> been more appreciative of the international and
> domestic-US agendas of the 
> filmmaker and journalist he cooperated with.
> 
> The program, "P.O.V. : The Brooklyn Connection" can
> be researched at 
>
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/thebrooklynconnection/
> 
> ...it will also rebroadcast locally in NYC on July
> 25th at 1am 
> (sunday-nite/monday morning). people can also offer
> comments on the pov 
> website: http://www.POV.org
> 
> spread the word...
> 
> Jeton
> 
> PS: Isa, pardon the delay, i do owe u an extended
> response onlist to your 
> last long missive. i promise to provide one
> shortly...
> 
> 
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> 



		
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