The village, which was built by Kusturica

Emir Kusturica in one of the streets of Drvengrad

The village of Mokra Gora on the border of Serbia with Bosnia and Herzegovina, perhaps, would have remained unknown to the world, if in the early 2000s, Emir Kusturica decided to take in the surroundings of his film “life is a miracle” (2004). Thanks to the Director, on the territory of the regional natural Park of grew up the second village — or rather, the ethno-village Drvengrad. She’s Mecavnik. She’s Kustendorf.

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“Initially, Mecavnik is the name of the hill on which is situated the village. It comes from the word “mecava” (in Russian- Metel), it was often squally wind, — says the Director of the hotel complex Resort Mecavnik Angela Rajovic. — The name of the “Drvengrad” (in Russian- the wooden city) came up with Emir Kusturica, because the town is built of wood .” “Kustendorf” refers to held here each year film and music festival.

It’s funny that the hill has attracted the attention of the Director, on the contrary, its good weather. The crew of the film “Life is miracle” was located on a nearby hill and waited for the cloudless sky needed for the scene. During the suspense Kusturica and then looked at Mecavnik, the only inhabitant of which was a haystack, constantly illuminated by the solar rays. Then the Director came up with the idea to build the prosperous place a few houses as decorations.

The construction was on the personal money of the Director.

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It is a mistake to say that we built this city for a movie. We wanted to make a traditional house, his life. And the city itself was constructed later, with the idea that he would become the city of festivals, culture and science

Emir Kusturica
filmmaker

It is not excluded that the impetus for large-scale construction was the interest of tourists. “At the time of construction of the houses had open for tourists narrow gauge railroad “eight railway” and the voyagers began to look at the hill. For them decided to open a cake shop so they could eat.

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About the Kusturica movies are also like rare cars from the shoot

About the Kusturica movies are also like rare cars from the shoot
© Anastasiya Silkina/TASS

Then came the restaurant of national cuisine, followed by houses, where tourists could stay, says Rajovic. Now we have a pool and gym, and a beauty salon, and a ski trail, and a tennis court. We have already started to grow their own vegetables and fruit, and works animal farm”.

On the territory there are even Orthodox Church. It holds daily service the priest of the Wet Mountains.

Now Drvengrad has about 50 buildings for different purposes, and Kusturica with the company planning to build new homes under the higher standard. The whole complex is served by 60 employees, which in the high summer season added another 20-30. Every year they take 150 thousand tourists from all over the world — from China to the neighboring countries of the former Yugoslavia.

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Home of the Emir Kusturica is easy to learn graffiti with a scene from “Arizona dream”

Home of the Emir Kusturica is easy to learn graffiti with a scene from “Arizona dream”
© Anastasiya Silkina/TASS

House in Drvengrad, not sell, its only permanent resident is the Kusturica who spends time here, free from filming and touring with The No Smoking Orchestra. His house — the first encounters a guest of the village. To know him is easy, thanks to large-scale graffiti with a scene from “Arizona dream”. In the village do a lot of wall images: one of my favorite writers Kusturica Fyodor Dostoevsky, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona. About the Kusturica movies are also like rare cars from the movie. His belief says the installation “City jail”, where a grid is depicted former US President George Bush and former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana.

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The installation “City jail”. In the village of Kusturica imprisoned former US President George Bush and former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana

The installation “City jail”. In the village of Kusturica imprisoned former US President George Bush and former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana
© Anastasiya Silkina/TASS

Kusturica is a welcoming host. In Drvengrad, often stop his colleagues at The No Smoking Orchestra. On site are even equipped recording Studio.

Famous and just starting your journey musicians in July come to Kusturica to the festival of Russian music “Great.”

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Friends Kusturica in the film industry are also often in Drvengrad. The crew of “the milky way” spent the night in the village, the Italian film star Monica Bellucci stayed in the house Dolce vita. In the same building lived by Russian Director Nikita Mikhalkov. From Russia, here also called writer Zakhar Prilepin, heading for the prize of the Literary Institute named after Ivo Andric, in Visegrad, which is located just over the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to Rajovic, Kusturica is willing to communicate with ordinary tourists requesting photos and autographs. Most independent travellers arrive in Drvengrad in July and August, and with September begins the season of corporate tourism. “Until the end of the year most places are already booked,” — said the Director of the complex. A double room with Breakfast in August, will cost 4800 RUB per night (according Booking.com).

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The names of streets, squares and infrastructure refer to figures of culture and science. The theater bears the name of Stanley Kubrick. Nikita Mikhalkov could stroll through the square named in his honor. His Italian colleague Federico Fellini dedicated street and the already mentioned guest house Dolce vita — “the Sweet life”. The Yugoslav writer Ivo Andric also held in high esteem by Kusturica: his name is square, and the Central cafe named after his novel “the Damned yard”. The literary theme continues in the bar the name of Momo Kapor is a Serbian author.

As the real owner, Kusturica himself has thought through the design of buildings and their decoration. Some buildings start here second life — the materials were purchased in the villages where demolition of old buildings. Wooden house not only outside but inside, the furniture is painted in folk style by sketches of the artist Ana Petrovich. Her hands belong and the paintings hanging in homes.

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For tourists in Drvengrad, also has an art gallery where regular exhibitions, and cinema. The repertoire includes films of Kusturica and participants of the festival “Kustendorf”. To the village at the invitation of Emir Kusturica, and on their own initiative come to the street musicians, folklore groups. Especially lucky travelers can also participate in the traditional dance of the stake. And, of course, to ask an autograph from Kusturica.

Anastasia Silkina

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The village, which was built by Kusturica

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