How might it feel to live through a conflict that disrupts your way of life?
“A Kiss, Deferred” is a four-minute film that touches on themes of love and war. It profiles Nikolina Kulidzan, who, as a young girl growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fell in love with a boy named Marko. In 1992, a civil war broke out in their country, shattering their lives and their relationship. This is the story of how war forced Nikolina and Marko apart and how love brought them back together.
Students
1. Watch the short film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.
2. After watching, think about these questions:
• What moments in this film stood out for you? Why?
• Were there any surprises? Anything that challenged what you know — or thought you knew?
• What messages, emotions or ideas will you take away from this film? Why?
• What questions do you still have?
3. An additional challenge: What connections can you make between this film and your own life or experience? Why? Does this film remind you of anything else you’ve read or seen? If so, how and why?
4. Next, join the conversation by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box that opens on the right. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)
5. After you have posted, try reading back to see what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting another comment. Use the “Reply” button or the @ symbol to address that student directly.
6. To learn more, read “A Kiss Deferred by Civil War.” Ms. Kulidzan writes:
Many saw it coming. Ethnically charged graffiti began appearing on buildings around town. The local newspapers published the locations of bomb shelters. A classmate told me not to sleep in my bedroom because it faced military barracks.
I dismissed these warnings, just as I ignored all other signs of coming doom. In my 12-year-old mind, our town of Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was too beautiful and the people too good to one another for there to be a civil war here. Besides, that spring was promising to be the greatest time of my life: I was happily in love for the first time.
_________
More?
• See all the films in this series.
• Read our list of practical teaching ideas, along with responses from students and teachers, for how you can use these documentaries in the classroom.
• Our next Film Club will take place on Thursday, May 9.
