Branko Miliskovic
Serbian videomaker
Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
My name is Branko Miliskovic. I was born in Belgrade- Yugoslavia in 1982.
I was the last generation of Tito’s pioneers. After that Yugoslavia broke up.
From 1991-1999 we used to live under the constant embargos , sanctions, restrictions, disability for travelling and hoping , shall I admit. On 1999 , Serbia was bombed by NATO alliance. I was 17. Somehow after being constantly under the tension and under the constant fear of possible destruction as well as fear of dying I expressed a desire of working as an architect, later as an designer and finally as an artist. My basic vocation was a sculptor . Since 2003 after tragic death of my sister I started working as a performance artist. I have graduated from Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, The Netherlands.
2. When, how and why started you filming?
I started filming since 2004. In my childhood period having a video camera was like a prestige, so I would be satisfied with audio recorders and I used to record a lot. Many sort of sounds, human voices, secretly recording voice of my grandma entering in my house in order to punish me because I made a fire in the kitchen and so forth.
My first contact with video camera was on 2003 when I started my very first trials. However, as a performance artist I have never been so interested in working with camera, I preferred to be in front of camera and to be filmed by somebody else. Anyway, later during my studying in The Hague I was obliged to learn how to work not just with video camera but also whole Final Cut editorial principles and programs.
3. What kind of subjects have your films?
My films are nothing more than extended version of my performances. From time to time I have possibility for live performing, but however I always film everything or if not filming than at least capturing by photographs. Sometimes my films/videos are just video installations, sometimes may be used as an additional element in my performances or finally as in Detention Paradise, I made private performances specifically designated for film.
Subjects in my films are usually very private problems but that privacy has always been highly influenced by current political and social background.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
I don’t have so much experience in film but what I may say for now, I follow principles of frontality, purified minimalism, defined picture and highly symbolic language of approaching to the audience.
5. How do you approach such complicated matter like Shoah represents?
My film Detention Paradise didn’t have such a direct link with Shoah main premise, but I was presumably selected due to Detention Paradise is dealing with personal and collective remorse for non( committed ) crime , finally no matter when and where has happened.
6. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.. What about digital technology?
I used 3CCD video camera for filming and I edited in Final Cut Pro ( Mac).
But when I have enough subsidies I use HD camera and engage professional cameraman, so I could be completely dedicated just to my work.
7. How do you finance your films?
Hah, how do I finance my all life… I v got some subsidies from The Netherlands government for my study , so I spent some money on filming, renting, editing… But usually, for films or performances I have to apply for public grants, of course , concerning my nationality for most of grants I am not eligible, so I have to search for some private founds, some private engagements and so forth to be able to support my travelling, filming, producing and finally being on certain place in certain time.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I work mostly as an individual artist because most of my requirements not everyone is ready to fulfil.( Loughing)
I mean, I d love to work in a small group because I am not able to work with equal power in every department, but my word is the last. For instance some of scenes from Detention Paradise were filmed in 7AM in ‘’Forbidden terrain ‘’ near the coast of Scheveningen, The Hague, so the only person to whom I could trust was myself.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
Recently film ‘’Songs from the second floor’’ Roy Andersson and ‘’Sunset Boulevard’’ Billy Wilder. But I can get inspired frequently with variety of documentary films, particularly nature and war themes.
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
I just want to work very honestly on my future tasks and everything else will come as a deserved surprise. At least I hope.
Can works of yours viewed online besides on VideoChannel/SFC? Where?
List some links & resources
www.brankomiliskovic.wordpress.com
http://www.dotan-perry.com/node/529
http://brankomiliskovic.wordpress.com/detention-paradise/
http://brankomiliskovic.wordpress.com/ingression/
http://iamiam.org/index.php?id=77&tx_feusersview_pi1[feuser]=971#971