Original subtitles

The war in Yugoslavia continues.

There were new intense battles

between Serbian and Croatian forces.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- I've come... - Of course.

- Please fill out this form. - I'm having labour pains.

- How often? - Every two, three minutes.

That's OK.

ID and insurance card, please.

- Here you are. - Thanks.

Ana Jovanović.

- In capitals, please. - Oh, OK.

- Can I...? - You already started? No.

There are rules.

What if I don't want to name the father?

Write "unknown".

Ms Jovanović, you're not in the computer.

There's no problem with my doctor.

Hasn't he gone digital?

You're not in the system.

You have my insurance card.

But I still have to... Just a second.

You're not in it. See for yourself.

I'm not familiar with it. Can we do this later?

I can't admit you without registration.

And what now?

I know all this is

new and unfamiliar for you.

It'll be fine. Let's concentrate on the formalities first.

They were thought up by people who know more than us.

Should I give birth here on the floor?

Easy birth, healthy baby.

Congratulations.

If things continue like this, you can leave in three days.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

- Aunt Ana? - Yes?

- It's me, your neighbour. - Tanja!

Tanja!

You're so big now, I didn't recognise you.

How long has it been?

- Ten years? - Yeah!

Aunt Ana.

Ana. I'm not your babysitter anymore.

Now you're a mother yourself.

And you're a doctor.

- A medical student. - Right.

She's beautiful.

- How are your parents? - Fine.

We haven't been in touch very much since I left.

You know my father.

Have you chosen a name?

I can't decide. Look.

They're all nice.

Which one do you like?

They're all beautiful.

I must go. But I'll be back.

Bye.

- Give me the baby. - Everything's fine, thanks.

Ms Jovanović, I'm Dr Avbarjeva, head of the birth clinic.

Nice to meet you.

We're here to help you.

A beautiful, healthy girl.

You're lucky.

Yeah, I'm happy.

Don't worry, everything will be fine.

You're in good hands.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'll be released tomorrow, right?

In principle, yes.

But we must check something first.

- Is something wrong with the baby? - No.

There are just a few formalities.

You must stay over the weekend.

Everything will be fine.

We'll take care of you.

I'll be right with you.

- Hi. - Hi.

The doctor isn't saying anything, but the results are OK.

Thanks.

I'll keep at it. Stay strong.

There are preliminary results.

Please enter them.

Today if possible.

That's all for now.

Excuse me for bothering you. What's wrong with my daughter?

Nothing. It's just...

Which formalities are involved?

I must know.

Everything's fine with your daughter.

Then we can go home.

There's a different problem.

What problem?

- You. - Me?

Am I sick?

No, you're fine.

There's a totally different problem.

You're not in the computer, there's no file for you.

We can't find you anywhere.

You don't exist.

I can't let you go before this is settled.

So we must wait a little longer.

But it isn't my problem.

Please straighten this out.

We will, don't worry.

What can I say? We just have to be patient.

Everything will

be fine.

It'll be straightened out soon.

We wrote a letter to the ministry.

Maybe tomorrow. Come back then.

Where's my daughter?

- What are you doing? - Changing her.

Excuse me.

What's wrong?

I've had enough.

- We're leaving. - That's not possible.

You have a large bill.

You're not a citizen and don't have an address.

Where are you going? Stop!

I'm calling the police.

POLICE

The war in the former Yugoslavia

is escalating.

Since the Serbs took Vukovar,

the Croatians have begun fortifying their positions

to prevent Serbian advances.

Yes?

Inspector...

Sit down.

Pardon?

Why English? I'm Slovene.

Sit down.

Why can't my daughter be with me?

Let's drop the drama and hysteria

and proceed according to the rules.

Hysteria? You...

Don't you want to clear this up quickly?

Talk to me.

I do want to clear this up quickly.

Then sit down.

We must fill out this form.

When did you cross the border?

Which border?

Where do you think you are?

Where are you right now?

What's this place called?

A refugee centre.

So...

Ms Ana Jovanović...

The first question is:

When did you cross the border?

And the second is: where?

You'll say you've lived your entire life here.

Where were you born?

- In Kragujevac. - So Serbia.

That's a different country, Yugoslavia no longer exists.

Now listen to me.

We're going through all the questions.

Then I'll sign it and send you on.

As an illegal immigrant, you'll be deported to Croatia.

- What do I have to do with Croatia? - Nothing.

Slovenia doesn't border on Serbia, and we must send you somewhere.

I know there's a war there.

But the law's the law.

And it must be followed

or the whole world will go to hell.

You're deporting me? What'll happen to my daughter?

Your daughter isn't mentioned in this file.

You're mad. I've lived here...

Your entire life.

Yes. I know.

I'm just doing my job and asking what I'm supposed to ask.

Even if you say a hundred times

you work at a day-care centre.

My son's in your group.

Luka.

You must obey the law and so do I.

You were erased.

I don't understand.

Can you get the lady some toilet paper?

I'm not allowed to tell you unless you ask about it.

By law, you're permitted a telephone call.

If you find someone to vouch for you,

I must release you. But you have only one call.

Go to city hall and fix your status.

If your child's registered in Slovenia but you aren't,

that could...

- Here you are. - Thanks.

So...

Where did you cross the border?

Inspector...

Yes?

I have the right to make a call.

Why do I have to vouch for you?

Don't you have a job?

Yes. Everything will be fine.

Definitely. And what's the problem?

A bureaucratic error. Everything will be fine tomorrow.

Certainly.

- This can't happen again. - Stop.

I have a job.

- The same one? - Yeah.

I've never understood why.

I like kids.

I hate this reverse.

It's time you visit him.

You're like him.

You're both the same.

You should've got over it.

It's been ten years.

And him? Has he asked about me?

I hope you don't regret it.

Thanks.

You look better with a little more weight.

Good day. I must announce you.

Tell me your name.

Jovanović.

- Oh. - What?

I can't let you in.

Why not? My daughter's here.

I've been told I can't let you in.

I just want to nurse her.

I understand.

Please. Just five minutes.

I really can't.

I've been told to call the police if there's a problem.

She's being taken care of.

I'm sorry.

- Ana. - Keep walking.

- What's wrong? - They want to deport me.

I'll clear that up tomorrow.

- How's my daughter? - Fine. I check often.

Can I nurse her? Please.

Go to the side door and wait for me.

A little more.

Hello.

There's supposedly a problem with my papers.

Can you please look?

You're a foreign national.

Go to Serbia, to Kragujevac.

Then you can register here with the Serbian passport.

But I don't have anyone there.

Settle down. I'm just doing my job.

I've had enough.

Should I call the police?

Well? Should I call the police?

Next. Next!

Hello.

Excuse me.

Wait a second.

They cut up my ID too.

We've been erased.

They erased us from all registries

because we were born in other Yugoslav republics.

Where are you from?

I'm from Bosnia.

Serbia.

Yeah, we're not the only ones. There are thousands of us.

Some are lucky,

their documents haven't expired yet.

Or the police haven't stopped them.

It could take years before

everyone finds out what's happening.

How long have you known?

For four months.

And what are you doing?

Writing letters. I've already written a million.

And?

Nothing so far.

But it'll work eventually. That's why I keep coming here.

I think personal contact with them is important.

Now I know why the windows are so low. So you're forced

to bow down to them.

Do you know anyone else who's been erased?

Yes, but

some people take it personally.

All these sad stories...

They can't deal with it.

That's not an option for me.

And how do you live?

Fine. I've adapted.

I don't stand out, don't break any laws, I'm invisible.

Careful!

Hey, what are you doing?

I don't want to be invisible.

- Ana. - Yeah.

- A little more. - Ana, please.

If the director finds out...

And the doctor... He's my professor. He'll give my test.

Your problem will be solved soon,

it won't take much longer.

Everything will be fine, you'll see.

I'll take care of you, everything will be fine.

- Hello? - Wait a moment.

Are you still here?

Go home.

We'll call you when there's new information.

Yes, Miss.

As I've said, we have some difficult cases here,

but yours is so delicate that I'll deal with it myself.

It'd still

be good if

- the child's father... - No.

Unknown.

Well, then...

You have no reason to worry.

We'll ask a few questions during the assessment process.

There's no need to worry.

When can I have my child back?

I can't tell you that.

Call me...

One second. Let me take a look.

How about

next Thursday at nine,

or better 11.30? Is that OK?

Next week?

You must be patient.

I promise to call if there's any news.

Well, then. Have a nice day!

Miss.

Trust the system.

Fine.

Hello?

Hello.

- Hey. - Hey.

We have a child.

It's a girl. And they took her away.

Wait, what?

I don't want to make trouble for you.

But I need your help.

You're the only person I know with connections.

Listen...

We both made our own decisions.

When I found out I was pregnant, it was my decision.

Help me get my child back.

How can the state just erase you? They can't pass a law like that.

Listen, they took everything from me.

Ana,

I think you're exaggerating.

Give me your wallet. I want to show you something.

- That's you, right? - Right.

They take your nationality away.

Your national insurance is gone.

Your driving licence.

The banks don't trust you anymore. No more loans

or rebates.

Your car can't break down.

Your private life has changed.

All that's you.

And this is all I am.

Give me a few days.

OK.

I need more information.

Yeah, OK.

I'm prepared to go public.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about you.

Do you need money?

No.

I need help.

I can't believe it.

That's in the foreigner act?

You're not a foreigner.

Our government would never do that. It must be a mistake.

No, Polona.

It sounds mad, but it's the truth.

I need confirmation

that I've worked here for ten years.

Of course.

Everyone likes your work.

If you know someone...

Of course.

Give me a few days.

Thanks.

Ana! Ana!

I know, Tanja.

Please. Just five minutes.

- Is she OK? - Yes.

- But everyone's still there. - I can wait.

It's not possible today.

Sorry. I must go.

Come back tomorrow.

Tanja, please.

Hello?

I was afraid I wouldn't reach you.

The reporter's expecting you.

Thanks.

You didn't tell me what this is about.

We're a political daily newspaper.

And your case

is more a social,

family matter.

We have an obligation to our readers.

Most of them

wouldn't be interested.

Thousands are in the same situation.

Yes.

I understand that completely.

And I'd like to help you.

But I must stick to

our editorial policy.

I can't change that.

If I were you,

I'd contact a family magazine or a tabloid.

Or a TV show.

And what should I tell them? That I milk myself like a cow

and then have to throw away the milk?

Fine.

I'm sorry about the reporter.

He needs good relationships with politicians.

Of course.

I'm a stupid idealist. Too bad I'm not blonde.

They can't just take my baby away, right?

I don't know. You're both foreigners.

They can't send us to Kragujevac.

I hope not, but...

Leave the girl at hospital for now.

I'm serious. Listen to me.

- Do your parents know people there? - No idea.

- You should visit them. - Yeah, fine.

I hate

your "I'll solve all the problems" voice.

How are you?

Great.

You?

I need help.

Tell me.

Do you know anyone at Kragujevac city hall?

No.

Do you know anyone at all in Kragujevac?

Why do you ask?

I have problems with my documents.

These b*stards.

You had to apply for citizenship within one month.

I didn't think it'd be the same for you.

You're one of them.

Why would they erase their own people?

So you knew.

You know I always pay attention to the news.

Aren't you a citizen?

No.

And you?

I am.

A Yugoslavian.

That doesn't exist now.

I thought you're hiding,

that you're invisible. And now you're sitting in a popular café.

I learnt from the best.

Tito said, "Hide where everyone can see you".

And that's true. They only check

tramps' documents.

It's natural selection.

You either adapt or die.

- That's the only way. - Yeah.

Thank you.

Have you adapted?

Yes. You can see

I'm not a dinosaur.

I adapt to whatever they do.

No problem.

But you must be thorough.

You have to work on it...

even when you're asleep.

Where do you sleep?

It doesn't matter.

The important thing is I sleep.

Senad.

Where? Don't you have a flat?

A neighbour found out I was erased,

and that's why I can't call the police.

He broke open my door and changed the lock,

threw my things out and that was that.

How is she?

Every time I see her,

she's nursing or asleep.

She nurses and sleeps.

I hope you don't say the same thing in 20 years.

Your solicitor.

Did you sign anything at hospital?

No.

Even if you did, that could be reversed.

But until then, my daughter isn't mine,

right?

I found a TV host with their own show.

- Everything will be fine. - OK.

It'll be fine.

We're state-owned.

Don't misunderstand. Please sit down.

A privately-owned broadcaster isn't an option,

they're all owned by the state,

which commissions the adverts.

I've always dreamt of telling big stories.

The stories flew past me,

and I ran to grab them.

But now we're broadcasting stupid things.

And when we see a big story,

we duck and hide from it, hoping it'll go somewhere else.

And when it knocks on our door,

we act like we're not there.

Our country's so small

and everyone knows everyone else.

People are always careful

not to step on toes.

It's terrible.

My wife will kill me.

My free spirit was what she loved most about me.

That was before we got married. Now it's the biggest problem.

But we'll do it. And you'll appear, right?

You're prepared to expose yourself?

I'll need someone else if you change your mind.

And bring all these papers, OK?

Let us go home.

- Ana, give me the baby. - Tanja.

Are you mad? I can't do that.

Hey!

Give me the baby.

Just look the other way, that's all.

I can't do that!

Please give me the baby.

Ana, don't do this to me. Stop!

Tanja.

Tanja!

- Hello. - Hello.

Come in.

- Where can I put this? - There.

Leave your shoes on.

It's no problem.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, please.

And biscuits, if you have any.

I'll find something.

Munich?

I was almost there once.

Before I forget...

These are all the Slovenian institutions.

Ministries, national assembly, government.

And these are the international ones.

The addresses look strange,

but don't worry,

they're right.

We'll be given an ombudsperson anyway.

Everything will be fine.

- Thanks. - It's OK.

You have a baby.

Where is it?

When things go well, it's easy to be independent.

But when you're in trouble, you see how much you need others.

Right?

They just pressed a button

and everything disappeared.

Damn them.

Yeah.

- Hello? - Good day.

I'm looking for Tanja Grah, the medical student.

She's been transferred.

Call the administration tomorrow morning. Goodbye.

There are just two ways.

The easy one and the hard one.

They can't just say, "Sorry, our mistake" -

and return the citizenships.

You lost your jobs and flats.

And they moved their voters in.

But mass deportations aren't an option.

They'll leave you alone as long as you're invisible.

Yeah, I'll be very quiet. As long as I get my daughter back.

They can't do that, the law's the law.

She's registered, but you aren't.

- That's what my solicitor says. - Fire him.

The system doesn't care about you.

But it'll have its eyes on you after this broadcast.

Do you think I'll have

a car crash or something like that?

I hope not. But...

- Hello? - It's me.

Hello.

They confirmed, you'll be on the broadcast.

OK, thanks.

And something else.

It might sound stupid

or paranoid, but start using a public telephone.

Just in case they bug yours.

Be careful.

- Bye. - Bye.

The fighting continues in Croatia

despite the presence of UN troops.

Good evening.

I'm a guest on the talk show In Focus.

Your ID.

I think I left it at home.

- You know the rules. - I do.

Go ahead. Second floor.

First, excuse me.

We'll talk about

your job first, children,

then we'll go to the actual topic.

And speak formally.

Why's there so much powder?

Because you need it.

Makeup.

It's for you.

Hello?

Yeah.

Couldn't you have told me sooner?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

OK.

I've been told...

our boss doesn't want you on the show.

He said the topic isn't relevant.

I must remove you from the studio immediately.

I'm really sorry.

Thank you very much.

This is the latest edition of In Focus. Live!

Tonight's guest is Ana Jovanović. Welcome!

IN FOCUS

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Have a seat.

Like many of our countrypeople, she's out of the ordinary.

Ana Jovanović, what do you think of

when I say "child"?

Firstly, I'd like to thank you

for inviting me and for this interview.

I can tell you from my own experience

that no one wants to talk about this.

- And... - Why not?

The system is set up so that everyone...

Could you all please be quiet?

I really hope that when people find out...

What's the problem? Are you stupid or something?

Can't you keep it down?

Your documents, please.

Good morning, neighbour.

Miss Ana.

Pray.

Everything will be fine.

Good day.

Today's newspaper, please.

- Which one? - All of them.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Nothing! Nothing!

Not a single word!

They all saw it, but no one wants to hear about it.

You said they want us to be quiet and invisible.

They'd rather put up the girl

for adoption than give her to me.

If I ever get

my baby back

and we're quiet and invisible as mice,

they might leave us alone.

Are you thinking of kidnapping her?

Ana.

Ana...

They want to transfer me to Germany.

A promotion.

I don't have any proof,

but I think they want to get rid of me.

But I won't go. You and the girl both need me.

Of course you'll go.

Ana.

You won't destroy your career and your family.

Ana...

Go.

Go.

Go.

Ms Jovanović.

Ms Jovanović! I'll call the police!

Ms Jovanović!

- You can't just... - Stop her!

Calm down!

Think of your child!

Hello? I don't know if my phone's bugged.

And whether you're listening.

You're probably just a minor official.

I must deal with people like you every day,

I must nod and smile,

request and beg.

And no one can do anything,

you're just doing your jobs.

You're just following orders,

doing what you're told.

Yeah, the law's the law.

You won't let me speak to your superiors.

That's why I'm telling you

I'm taking my daughter back.

That you can't stop me. Never.

No matter

how many laws you write.

Can you hear me?

I'm taking my little girl back.

Were you sleeping?

What's my grandchild's name?

She's a girl.

You couldn't even have a son.

What do you want?

Let's go get her.

They'll call the police.

I know.

That's why you don't have much time.

They'll deport you to Croatia.

Croatia and Serbia are at war. You're a Serb.

Her name's Hana.

Are you sure you'll recognise her?

Don't take the wrong baby.

That's why we don't get on. You don't trust me.

That doesn't matter now.

Good luck, my child.

Good evening. How can I help you?

Hey.

Death to fascism, freedom to the people!

Sir,

you can't go in there!

You can't go in there!

Sir, I'm serious.

ON 26.02.92 SLOVENIA'S MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR

ERASED 25,671 CITIZENS FROM ITS REGISTRY.

THAT WAS 1.3% OF THE POPULATION.

MOST OF THEM STILL DON'T HAVE LEGAL STATUS.

600,000 "ERASED" PEOPLE

NOW LIVE IN EUROPE.