In the framework of the Lux Prize 2019, Teona STRUGAR MITEVSKA, film Director, speaks about her movie "God exists, her name is Petrunya", in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

interview

LUX Cinema Prize 2019 (T)

Interview of Labina MITEVSKA, Producer of "God exists, her name is Petrunya"

Title: Interview of Labina MITEVSKA, Director of &quot;God exists, her name is Petrunya&quot; (I-180760)

SOUNDBITE (English), Labina MITEVSKA, Producer of "God exists, her name is Petrunya" , I read this tiny article saying that on the ceremony of the cross a woman in jumped into the water to catch the cross and ha ha ha. ,the church asked her to give the cross back and so on. And I said (to the scriptwriter), can you imagine? And she said, wow, it's so interesting. I think we have a story for our next film. We contacted her and It was a very impressing interview this woman gave. She said to all this man, she said, you know, I want the cross because I'm a better swimmer than all of you and I deserve to have happiness this year. And they said, no, you don't, because you're a woman. So for us, this was the fascinating story.  It was the start point for us for putting the effort in it and to see, how the media treated this important issue and how they didn't treat this important issue.

SOUNDBITE (English), Labina MITEVSKA, Producer of &quot;God exists, her name is Petrunya, There was challenge, because the film has been co-produced between 5 countries: Macedonia, Slovenia, France, Croatia and Belgium. For me, it was amazing to work from the creative point of view and with a creative team from all around Europe.  And you understand how beautiful is Europe, how you work when you put creative people together, how you can have something astonishingly beautiful.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zorica NUSHEVA, Playing the role of Petrunya: I'm from Macedonia, coming on this shoot for me I connect with Petunia instantly, it was a magnetic connection. It was because the script is brilliant on many levels.  It doesn't speak just about these issues, issues that we don't have discussed before, about very well educated people, but also the aspect to find yourself as a woman in this society. I am also this little kid that was born and raised in a very little city in this part of Macedonia.  You are from the countryside and then you go to the big city to get education. So I'm very aware of the stereotypes that exist in the small, especially in the small parts of my country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Labina MITEVSKA, Producer of &quot;God exists, her name is Petrunya, You know, the idea of the Lux Film Prize was always, whow, we wish we're one day part of the this family.  And with this idea that your film will be translated into 20 languages, that your film will be seen in 24 European countries. It is amazing. All three finalists are great films and they speak about different issues, very important issues of our society. And of the planet today.