Jason Miko, producer of A Name is a Name Q&A in “Nova Makedonija” daily

Jason Miko, producer of A Name is a Name

Q&A in “Nova Makedonija” daily

“A Name is a Name” is the name of the documentary movie you are producing for Macedonia. What name are you talking about?

-       We are simply talking about the name Macedonia.  The title of the movie comes from a song by Morten Harket, the Norwegian musician and lead singer of a-ha.  He wrote a song called A Name is a Name which is on his latest solo album Letter from Egypt.  When we first started discussing this film, I thought it was a bit ironic that this song was on his album and that he was interested in helping Macedonia.  The song has nothing to do with Macedonia, but it fits nicely.  It is a love song.

-       Obviously, the focus on the film is to put a spotlight on Macedonia and Macedonia needs that spotlight because of the issue with her name.

The team of the movie is international. What makes you all interested in this matter?

-       The idea for the film comes from Sigurjon Einarsson, the director and Morten Harket a singer, songwriter and the lead singer of the Norwegian group a-ha.  Sigurjon is from Iceland but lives and works in Norway.  He is a filmmaker by profession but when he moved to Norway some 22 years ago, he got involved in the music business. 

-       One of the important and exciting aspects of this film is the other internationals who are involved in it.  We have a number of international musical rock and roll artists who will be a part of the film, either by contributing music to the actual film, or by giving us a track or two for the CD which will come out later.  We have an internationally acclaimed Englishman who will do the narration for the film.  I cannot reveal all of the names of those involved at this time, but we will be letting the public know who they are as they agree to come on board.

-       Another important aspect is those who are donating their funds to see this film become a reality.  We have a number of Macedonian businessmen who have contributed, and I should give special thanks to Tinex, MZT Pumpi, and Nova Makedonija.  Also Agro-Kanat, Diag, Sarteks, and Ading have helped along with some anonymous donors.  The Film Fund of Macedonia has been a big help along with a number of international friends.  However, we are still looking for additional funding to meet our goals.

What will be the main aim of the movie?

-       The main aim of this film is simple to put a spotlight on the issue, to highlight the issue and to tell the world – but especially policy makers, decision makers and others about the issue of Macedonia and her people.  

Is it possible for one art product to change the image Macedonia has in the world about this absurd conflict about the name with Greece?

-       This film is not going to solve the name issue and we should not build expectations that it will.  But hopefully it will put a spotlight on the issue.  Our target audience is not Macedonia – our target audience is the world.  We are targeting not just ordinary viewers around the world who may or may not know something about this issue.  We are targeting policy makers and decision makers in Washington, DC, New York, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Canberra, Ottawa and elsewhere who can impact the policies of their countries and others.

What can you tell us, as a producer, about the further distribution of the movie?

-       The first thing in promotion is the web site, trailer and other social networking sights.  This month, we are launching all of these.  We want to begin to build awareness about all this.  From there we will begin showing the film around the world, asking various national TV stations in countries around the world to broadcast it.  At the same time, we will be looking at international film festivals.  We will also look at special screenings in Washington, DC and Brussels and of course, Skopje.  Eventually, it will go to DVD and we will have a CD of the music in the film as well as a photo book of the film – slightly different but with the same message.

Nova Makedonija 22 June 2009

6/24/2009