About People and Forests

About People and Forests delves into the profound bond between humans and forests, focusing on deforestation as one of the pressing crises of our time. The film serves as a small yet poignant testament to the futile struggle against the destruction of forests, highlighting how every effort made by individuals or groups to combat the greed and profit-driven motives behind this devastation is, unfortunately, destined for failure — including this film.

The narrative centers on people who, despite knowing their efforts are ultimately hopeless, continue their unwavering fight to protect forests. Among them is Anto Radić, a one-armed man who, despite his disability, works as a lumberjack. Another figure is Elmedin Šošić, who dedicates himself to rescuing endangered plant species, like the elm tree.

For many, the primal image of forests on the distant horizon is a memory deeply etched since childhood—a first glimpse of the unknown, sparking our early awareness that the world might be far more complex than it appears. By destroying forests, we are not only erasing the natural world but also erasing our own memories—the final refuge we have against death and oblivion.

  • Josip Mlakić
    Director
  • Josip Mlakić
    Writer
  • Ivica Perić
    Producer
  • Miro Barnjak
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 2 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Country of Filming:
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Language:
    Croatian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Josip Mlakić

Josip Mlakić, a writer and screenwriter, was born in 1964 in Bugojno, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has authored over ten novels, many of which have garnered awards, along with several collections of short stories. In addition to his literary work, Mlakić has written screenplays for seven feature films directed by prominent Croatian filmmakers. About People and Forests marks his directorial debut in feature-length documentary filmmaking.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I grew up next to forests and the motivation for the film comes from my childhood fascination with forests, as a memory of ancient, innocent times, when nothing was an illusion and when there was no border between imagination and reality. And at the same time, it is a quixotic attempt to reconstruct memories, which are our last refuge from death and disappearance.