Turning History into Myth: Filming Nationalism in the 21st Century

The beginning of the 21st century has seen an increase in nationalistic movements across the globe and documentary filmmakers have been following up on the issue in their own countries.

Nations are build on a concept of shared values, a shared past and thus a shared identity. A nation’s identity is shaped by the shared experiences of its citizens over time. But what history are we talking about? What shared past? Obviously various states and lobby groups use history for their own purposes. By turning particular aspects of history into myth they define the supposedly ‘true’ essence of what it means to belong to one nation. They determine who is a ‘real’ member of the group (someone who has shared the experience they claim to be vital to the nation’s identity) and who is not. This nationalistic propaganda is then linked to a concrete political agenda by trying to “win the hearts and minds” of others.

But how do you achieve this, how can you establish the myth? Through rock music or youth camps? By targeting the younger generation? Or by interpreting contemporary events through the eyes of an ‘eternal’ experience and thus keeping the myth alive?

The relationship of nationalism and patriotism to history and myth is at the heart of this year’s Dialogues which will discuss these issues with some of the most interesting contemporary documentary filmmakers who have brought their films to Prague. They find very different answers to the question of how to do deal with these complex issues in film. While some use an observational style, others go for more confrontational tactics combined with a wry sense of humor. One thing they have in common, though, is the insight that sometimes, raising a question is more important than finding the answer.