Tito, a Man Between East and West
Currently reading: Who was Josip Broz Tito
Overview
This project is a historical film series about Josip Broz Tito, the former leader of Yugoslavia.
Use of archive material, eyewitness reports
and expert analysis
Sasha Djurkovic's film project blends exclusive archive material, eyewitness reports, and expert analyses to examine the eventful life of a man who mastered the art of self-promotion.
Taking a dynamic and retrospective approach, the story of Tito is re-examined - sharpening our view of his legacy and exposing the cracks in the façade he so carefully maintained.
Production timeline
Production of this project began in May 2024 and was completed between April and May 2025. Following completion, Sasha used the film as the basis for further research, as well as for masterclasses and public talks.
Funding streams
- Looks Film
- ARTE
- ORF
- HRT
- German regional film funding body
Who was Josip Broz Tito
The Tragedy of the Balkan Wars
1991 marked the beginning of the Balkan wars that took place between ethnic groups that had once been part of Yugoslavia. More than 200,000 people died in years of bloody clashes over territory and ethnic identity and over a million were forced to flee from their homes.
Djurkovic's film asks: how could this happen?
Tito’s Role in Yugoslavia’s Unity
In world history and politics, there is not just one truth. But one thing is undisputed: Josip Broz “Tito” was a man who had steered the destiny of the multi-ethnic state of Yugoslavia since the end of the Second World War and united its different ethnic groups. After his death in 1980, intercultural conflicts broke out in the region.
From Partisan Leader to President for Life
Who was the man who became president for life and held the multi-ethnic state together?
Tito was a partisan leader who took on Hitler, who broke away from Stalin, and who carved out Yugoslavia’s unique path amid Cold War tensions. He was also a ruler who, over time, drifted into dictatorship, prioritising self-glorification over the welfare of his people.
Power, Prestige, and the Island of Brijuni
While Tito commanded the loyalty of a nation, he also surrounded himself with the global elite of politics and celebrity, hosting them on his private island of Brijuni. His image was carefully curated, but not always accurate.
Delivery Team Members