Macedonian filmmaker Milcho Manchevski is making waves in the documentary realm with his latest work, “Good People,” following a prestigious career that began with his Oscar-nominated film “Before the Rain.” It took him over thirty years to transition from fiction to documentary, but the catastrophic nightclub fire in Kočani in 2025 compelled him to share the stories of its victims and survivors on film. The documentary is set to have its world premiere in the documentary competition at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Tragedy Strikes Kočani
On March 16, 2025, a tragic fire ignited at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, when sparks from indoor fireworks struck the ceiling. The flames escalated rapidly, leading to the deaths of 63 individuals and injuring 193 more. Investigations revealed that the club was unlicensed and violated multiple safety regulations, including inadequate emergency exits and the presence of only one fire extinguisher. This incident marks the deadliest fire in North Macedonian history, resulting in a nationwide review that shut down numerous entertainment venues.
Giving a Voice to Survivors
In a recent interview with Variety, Manchevski expressed his intent to provide survivors with “a voice.” He noted, “Their experience and thoughts had to be recorded and shaped into an honest narrative for future generations.” He and his team began filming just a month after the tragedy, driven by the need to capture raw, unfiltered emotions and experiences that were overshadowed in the media by political discourse. Manchevski remarked, “Very quickly, the tragedy was hijacked for political goals.” Following the incident, accusations emerged, with North Macedonia’s then Interior Minister Panče Toškovski attributing the club’s operating license to “corruption and bribery,” inciting anti-corruption protests across the country.
A Minimalist Approach
Although “Good People” marks Manchevski’s first full-length documentary, he has dabbled in the format before with his 2010 experimental film “Mothers.” Having critiqued the sentimental techniques often found in documentary filmmaking, such as manipulative music and excessive B-roll, he aimed for “extreme asceticism” in “Good People.” He stated, “We are making the viewer confront their words and their faces one-on-one, directly, with as little mediation as possible.” This approach involved conducting interviews against a plain black background with no archival footage, highlighting the survivors’ words and emotions.
Overcoming Obstacles in Filmmaking
The filmmaking process was not without challenges, as Manchevski claimed he was “blacklisted by the Macedonian Film Agency,” which prevented him from obtaining funding or support. “They blocked all of my films…documented by Whistleblowing International and Transparency International, among others,” he explained. This forced him to self-fund the project, declaring that all proceeds from “Good People” will go to the survivors in Kočani.
A Return to Sarajevo
Manchevski is especially enthusiastic about premiering “Good People” at the Sarajevo Film Festival, recalling his connection to the festival since his career’s inception. He reminisced about attending its first edition in 1995 during the Bosnian War, stating, “For me, it was possibly the most emotional screening of the film after the one in Venice.” Returning after over 30 years to a flourishing festival evokes a sense of nostalgia and hope for Manchevski.
A Future in Filmmaking
As he looks ahead, Manchevski is already working on his next project, “Sister Brother Manhole Cover,” which he describes as a “black comedy about the rich and the poor, about searching for love and family on the outskirts of society.” Remarkably, he has been juggling both “Good People” and “Sister Brother Manhole Cover” simultaneously—an unusual feat amid allegations of political persecution that previously obstructed his work. “In 2020 and again in 2022, I reported corruption, rigged competitions, and conflict of interest at the Film Agency…when their dam broke, I made not one, but two films at the same time,” he revealed. The upcoming film has been co-produced across several countries and is already attracting attention from sales agents.
