Directors Statement

This short documentary started out as a graduate film at Edinburgh Napier University but has since evolved and expanded from the original concept. After graduating the production team travelled to Slovakia to visit The House of Culture and gain a greater understanding of the importance of this institution, and the feeling of loss which still exists in the community after its closure. It has been a project we have been working on for 3 years and are exceptionally proud to have completed.

Eastern European history is fascinating and nuanced and is not often shown in this light in Western media. We were granted unique access to the building and had the chance to explore culture in the heart of Slovakia like never before. The personal connection with the director’s family and the building helps to emphasise the loss and forgotten experiences, that the building, and culture alike, have experienced. This documentary is a window into a history which for too long has gone unwritten, showcasing family, loss, and love in the face of devastating social and political upheaval.