Watch the VIDEO PITCH:
Get to know the writer Miroslav Atanasov:
1. What is your story about?
It about the brutal history of the Congo Free State – exposing King Leopold’s cruel regime, and the heroic people – natives, missionaries, intellectuals, and investigative journalists who launched a powerful human rights campaign against it, which eventually led to its end.
2. Why should people know this story?
This story was virtually forgotten by history until 1998 when “King Leopold’s Ghost” was published by Adam Hochschild. Several books have been released since then and a couple of documentaries. The first feature that involved it just came out – “The Legend of Tarzan.” However, it is fictional and even though the story is the backdrop, we really need a good full feature film to describe the history more accurately. King Leopold II was one of the biggest mass murderers of history, destroying 10 million Africans, but still honored in Belgium, EU’s capital as the ” Builder-King.”
3. This story has a lot going for it. How would you describe this story in two words?
Historical Justice.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Star Wars.
5. How long have you been working on this story?
About a year.
6. How many stories have you written?
This is my first feature film script. But I have done a lot more academic and journalistic writing.
7. What motivated you to write this story?
The real need for the world to know the story of the millions of innocent Congolese people who were terrorized by the infamous European King Leopold II under the front of humanitarianism. Western Europe, and especially Belgium, have been reluctant in admitting their horrific colonial crimes, but the time has come for them to be more honest with that dark past.
8. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Issues concerning the poor around the world and those who suffer injustice, especially in Africa.
9. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Write stories that you have passion for and such that would help people practically in their personal growth and moral development. Help make the world a better place though your story-telling.
WILDsound Festival 