The Slovenian Union of America, Local Branch 23, presents an evening of Slovenian Cinema.
The mission of the SUA is to promote Slovenian culture, and the Branch 23 in Ely has committed itself to offering Slovenian experiences to the community.
The year 2026 marks the centenary of the Slovenian Union of America. Because of this special celebration Ely’s Branch 23 wants to kick off the centennial year with this cultural, cinematic event.
“First of all, when the state theater finally renovated, I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have a Slovenian film festival? Branch 23 of the SUA always tries to do one community outreach. And I thought, this is an easy one,” said event organizer Jim Lah.
“Get the films, people have a glass of wine, watch the films, appeal to Slovenian culture and all that kind of stuff. So it percolated for three or four years. And then finally, things came together because this coming year is the 100th anniversary of the Slovenian Union of America.
“And so in northern Minnesota, we’re having a big, the big celebration up here. And then this June, the president of the SUA from Cleveland, Joe Valencic, is in Gorizia, on the Italian Slovenian border.
“And he’s seeing these films. It’s a festive culture. And the lady says, this one’s from the United States. And he says, oh, really? She says, yeah, Minnesota, yeah, Ely.”
Lah said the film was made in Ely in mid-1980s and is about how immigrants from Slovenia came here in the late 1800s.
“I am praying and hoping everything finally works out to get it here. We have the other two films already lined up but we’re still kind of waiting on that one.
The three films are: Moja Meja (My Border), 2002, 50 minutes Anja Medved and Nadja Velušček, directors This documentary film is Nadja’s personal story about how the new border that separated Slovenia from Italy after World War II defined her childhood. Her mother was Slovenian from the Italian side of the border and her father was from the Slovenian side. When the two married in 1947, the family’s life collided against the impenetrable wall between two worlds, Eastern and Western Europe.
Kratka Himna Domovini (A Short Anthem for My Homeland), 1998, 17 minutes, Boris Palčič, director The layers of history that Slovenia endured in the 20th century are lyrically documented through the view from a Slovenian family’s window in a coastal town. The characters change from Austrian to Italian to Yugoslav to Slovenian, but the street (and some of the action) stays virtually the same.
Po sledeh Slovencev v svetu – Dežela neskončnih možnosti: Minnesota (Following Slovenians around the World -- The Land of Endless Possibilities: Minnesota), 1987, 40 minutes, Dorica Makuc & Mija Janžekovič, directors The myth of a promised land across the ocean drove many oppressed Slovenians to the United States. Instead of gold and freedom, they were met with hard work, alienation and exploitation. But some of the most persistent and resourceful managed to earn a decent living and preserve the memory of their roots. They are also remembered by their descendants as indomitable pioneers who helped build what is today the most powerful country in the world.
Branch 23 of t he Slovenian Union of America invites you to view one or all of the films. The cost is $8 per film or $15 for the evening.
Lake Country Power has generously supported this effort with their Operation Round-up Grants. It is also sponsored by the State Theatre and NLAA.
