Valjevo Walker: LJUBICA AND PETRIJA

-by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Kolubara, Oct 1994

Translated by Katarina Vicentijevic

Not a single one of these new lamps, benches, jardinieres (wooden or brick), not even the floor mosaic, the fountain and the clock in Knez Miloseva (Prince Miloš’) Street can reach the inventiveness and authenticity of two small details that are used to name the most valuable and unusual parts of this famous shopping street: plates with the inscriptions “Princess Ljubica’s Square” and “Petria’s Wreath”.

Those two inscriptions are also rare for their artistic solution. One of them is placed vertically, with a longer side up on Despotovic’s house, and the other is across the street on “Janko Veselinovic” bookstore, both bent, which almost gives them the third dimension.

Their author, Dusan Arsenic, remembers, perplexed even today, the entire sequence of events which proved how the traditionally long and complicated procedure for this kind of works can be avoided. He wonders at the same time that those signs stand there even today. Nothing, however, would have become of it if that magician of so many possible and impossible things in the town, Branko Lukic, hadn’t asked himself four years ago, when the reconstruction of the street began: „What can suit Prince Milos better than Princess Ljubica!“ This is how that little square got its name! And to do justice to history and other things, the other Prince’s love, Petrija, also got its place in that genuine story - an alley with a beautiful garden was named “Petria’s Wreath”!

Those are the details that make Knez Miloseva or Prince Miloš’ Street memorable, everything else, though remarkably decorative, has already been seen.

Valjevo Walker: MOSAIC

-by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Kolubara March 1995

Translated by Stefan Radovanović

It’s been eight years since the mosaic, which shows the Execution of Serbian Headmen, was removed from the bevelled corner wall of the Grand Hotel. The large facade slab with the mosaic was taken into the basement of the Jablanica company headquarters. It was said those days: only temporarily. It was mentioned then, in the days and years of great town renovation and rediscovery, that the mosaic should be placed on the First Uprising Quay, at the imaginary exit from „the wooden bridge“, because there it would most naturally testify to that significant event and place.

Then there came different times and different ideas how the town should mark the execution of Serbian Headmen.

The mosaic was placed on the bevelled corner wall of the Grand Hotel during the first major reconstruction in 1960. The town was preparing to salute the unveiling of the Monument to Revolution Fighters on Vidrak hill, so it was considered proper to refurbish the lodging for the guests, high-ranking and respected persons. Someone came up then with a good idea that the town must also pay respect to that first, historically fateful act.

The author of that mosaic, removed and hidden from the public eye for a long time, is Ljubodrag Jankovic Jale, the artist who has made another permanent piece of art for this town – the painting of Valjevo through its six centuries of existence.

Valjevo Walker: The Factory

by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Kolubara, Nov 2006

Translated by Milos Savic

Radojka Rada Jeftic, spends her retirement days in the Kolubara housing estate, facing the new “Gorenje” factory. She followed up its construction completely, from the very start until the last days before the opening, when they digged, levelled, and planted the area from the street to the factory with grass. ‘Finally,’ says she, ‘somebody has remembered to tidy up a large area, which used to be turned into a jungle and dump for all sorts of things on a piece of town land.’ On a town plot with protruding remains of started-but-abandoned contruction site of Valjevo Sports Centre with an indoor pool. ‘If only this would stir the town to at least fill the holes on the other side of the road there would be less mud, maybe even the grass would grow. They do not need too much for that, they just need to “remember”,’ states Rada.

And this event with the new factory, which shines at night flooded by light like a spacecraft, only gives her ground to conclude that something is finally going to be offered to young people. To work! She says that we have forgotten how to build factory halls, that the “rip-off” of her former company called “Stefil” will also be forgotten. First of all, it has been forgotten how those “abandoned and overgrown” factories were built. Yes, she was a worker in that factory, but she helped together with her colleagues to asphalt the area around the factory as well as a road through that area. That used to be done, too. Not that there was justice for everybody in those days. However, we built and worked. Everything after that, including the legalized robbery, need not and must not have happened.

Valjevo Walker: CROCUSES

by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Kolubara Nov 2007

Translated by Kristina Mijatovic

„It’s been my second time in Serbia, and it’s nice that they’ve made it possible for me to see your beautiful landscapes. I really enjoyed myself while visiting the area surrounding the Rovni dam. What surprised me were crocuses in meadows, especially at this time of the year. They were everywhere. This is an unusual sight for us coming from England since we have completely destroyed our meadow flowers, by using chemicals to kill weed in the grass. In your country, they grow in meadows, even in autumn. You are not aware how precious that is!“

This is how Desmond Volling, an Englishman, the world expert for erosions and torrents, talks admiringly about a scene, which he will always remember, when, for a short time, on a rainy September day, he was in the mountainous area from which the waters pour down into the river Jablanica. Are we aware of that treasure, those crocuses, the bluish flowers on our pastures?

Valjevo Walker: WITHOUT A CONCEPT

by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Dec 2007

Translated by Predrag Milicevic

All interventions along Valjevo's most important and main street, Karadjordjeva street, have confirmed for a long time that hastily done work, whenever and whoever thought it might be needed, ruins the naturaly formed whole and degrades each value it offers.

It is good that Archpriest Mateja Nenadovic’s monument and development of piazzetta between Ilkic’s court buildings have permanently expelled parking from the narrow sidewalk. Unfortunately, the replication of what was achieved on the other side, from Valjevo Library up to the Central Restaurant, the so-called ’’Green Stream’’ has failed, despite good intentions. There is too much stone in a small space, so neither the greenery nor passers-by can breathe. It has taken a long time before architecht Branko Ristic and his colleagues have shown that the sidewalk need not be asphalted, that it can even be colored, that there is place for pedestrians and lines of trees, even for benches and small gardens. All of this on the left side of Karadjordjeva Street, opposite the Town Square, which still hasn’t been completely paved.

Nor were there thoughtful intentions when at the expense of the precious park full of tall trees with lush green tops, the only public green surface all along the street, the piece of land was taken away to widen the sidewalk. Now the depressing mass of asphalt stands gaping even when the cars are parked on it, without a clue why it was done and why it should have been done. Now even if there is a reason, the way it is done looks as though it emerged from some times gone by when the asphalt really mattered and made us feel to be a step forward.

The town has long needed a team for seemingly unimportant things, like sidewalks, lawns, curbs, litter bins, benches...To care about the look of the whole which is given its overall verification through its parts.

Translation Project: Valjevo Walker

Dear Lingva Muskeeters,

Our next task is to translate short articles from Valjevo Walker section published in Kolubara magazine. The first step will be to read a number of issues and choose the most interesting accounts. This will be followed by translation, correction, and finally you will illustrate your work with appropriate photographs.

Mira

Film Review by Predrag Milicevic

"The Transformers: The Movie" and "Beowulf"

We live in a time where the art of film making has gone one step beyond. The art of animation has been perfectionised with a little help of the up-to-date technologies, which feature graphic components capable of creating realistic images which can fool the human eye and can bring to life anything beyond our wildest imagination, mystic creatures and even worlds. All it takes is a little imagination and precision, and of course money, to create a masterpiece such as ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''Ice age''.

As a fan of good animation I would like to say something about the film ''The Transformers: the Movie'', based on the cartoon and toys that has recently been shown in cinemas and has recieved a positive critic, and ''Beowulf'', a remake of the film from 1999 that came after ''transformers'', was a major disappointment regarding animation.

As the title suggests, the film ''Transformers'' is about bio-mechanical life forms from outter space, who can transform into man maid techonologies and who invade planet Earth, on which the showdown good against evil takes place to decide the faith of humanity. This film features the most advanced animations ever created, and along with Sreven Spilberg and Michael Bay responsible for the dynamic plot and risky stunts managed to create a melange of sci-fi, action and comedy. The transformations were initially been made to follow the laws of physics and that's what makes this film realistic. Every detail is flawless, movements fluent and the plot is just insane.

On the other hand, ''Beowulf'', which I was eager to watch, turned out to be a disappointment because even the main characters, such as Angelina Jolile and Ray Winston were totaly animated. Unfortunately, the animations were obvious and easily to spot. The facial movements are stiff, the skin is shiny and low in detail. However, the plot is very good, with a mixture of mythology, old beliefs and old cultures and bloody sequences as well. The major mistakes of this film would be the unnecessary computerised main characters, which in my oppinion, costs more than normal acting. I'm still wondering why they did that if the actors are already present, and you can't get more real than that. The money shouldn't have been a problem. Stars such as Angelina Jolie are only to see on high budget films.

By contrasting these two films, you can clearly see that there is no room for error, that every move has to fit perfectly or the project will be in jeperdy. You have to compliment the real masterminds' behind such big projects, who have to have a steady hand, eyes of an eagle for every smallest detail and nerves to produce something that you can be proud of.

Film Review by Katarina Vicentijevic

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Chicago

Latest Tim Burton film “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” could be characterized as one of the best musicals ever made. Based on a hit Broadway musical from 19th century, the story is about Benjamin Barker, a barber sent away by Judge Turpin, who comes back to London under name Sweeney Todd. He opens a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett’s Meat Pie Shop, with whose help he assassinates corrupted aristocracy. His biggest wish is to reunite with his daughter, who is being “imprisoned” by Judge Turpin.
Staring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman, this film is going to keep you on the edge of your seat and impress you both with special effects, such as blood, costumes, make up, and, above all, the acting. Throughout most of the film, everything is gray, just like the soul of protagonist. Singing is magnificent- Johnny Depp’s vocal abilities are one more detail that makes this film extraordinary.
On the other hand, although “Chicago” won the Oscar for the best film a few years ago, I do not share opinion with those who say that it was the one that deserved it. The story is about two murderers Roxie Hart, who killed her lover when she found out he wouldn’t make her famous, and Velma Kelly, who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together. Two of them fight for glory in order to save themselves from dying.
I find plot far less interesting and dynamic than in “Sweeney Todd”, and, though the cast is pretty good, neither Richard Gere nor Rene Zellweger justified my expectations. Singing and choreography are absolutely fine, though not that exceptional as in “Sweeney Todd”. From my point of view, plot in “Chicago” is too common and predictable as there have been many films with similar motives. Some motives from “Sweeney Todd” might also be common, but the ending is far from being common.
I highly recommend watching these two films as in that way you will be able to decide on your own whether I was right.

YALS Literary Competition

Dear Lingva Achievers,

Once again, YALS Association of Language Schools of Serbia is organising a literary competition, inviting applicants at this level of proficiency to submit their papers on the following topic:
An international student magazine regularly features a page called "Contrasts". Write a review for this page contrasting two films of the same genre which you have seen; one of which you enjoyed, and one of which you found disappointing.

Write your review in about 250 words. The submission deadline is April 11, and the winners names will be announced on April 18. The winners will be awarded books in English .

Mira

Film Review by M. Markovic: Futurama

Futurama is an animated film by Matt Groening, who is also a creator of popular TV seria ''The Simpsons''. As you watch it for the first time, you see a similarity between characters, so is not hard to see relation between the two.
The name of the main character in the Futurama is Fry whose job is pizza delivering. He is very funny in some way, but a bit clumsy. Somehow he was freezed for many years on Earth and he realised that it is the year 3000. and that he is now in a totaly new world. He meets there a few friends: robot Bender and one-eye girl called Leela. Later, during the film, they will be assigned to deliver lug nuts to planet called Chapek 9, inhabited by robots who hate humans. Therefore, they decided to send Bender to deliver the lug nuts, but it wasn’t as easy as they expected because Bender liked the planet and he wanted to stay there. However, “our good robot” has been caught by other robots but he managed to send signals to the space ship. Fry and Leela decide to rescue Bender by disguising into robots, but that wasn’t so great idea because they have been caught and sent to trial. What’s more, Bender was ordered by judges to kill his friends. He was neither in a good position- he can stay there, be famous if he accepts to kill Fry and Leela, or go back on Earth and continue his usual life with humans.
What would happen next? Is this a story with happy ending, or not? You will find out if you see the film. In my opinion, Futurama is great film and I think that everybody should see it! Find out more about life in the future, especially about 3000 Blernsball – the most famous sport in the future. I am sure you’ll like it!

Film Review: Fear of Bot by K.Mijatovic

"Futurama" is utterly interesting and lively film full of action. It is a funny story for all ages. Also, it has some dramatic moments . The author is the same as in the popular TV series "The Simpsons", which, by the way, made great success, and that fact helps "Futurama" to become popular and well accepted by the audience.
Since "Futurama" is cartoon, characters' arrearances are totally creative and exciting. The main characters are an ordinary human being from planet Earth called Fry, Bender, witty and curious robot and their intelligent alien friend Leela.
The story takes place on the planet Earth in the year 3000, which is inhabited by aliens. Besides Earth, there is a gloomy robots' planet Chapek 9. The conflict is based on warlike relation between humans and robots. Crucial moment is when Bender has to make hard choice between great life with robots and friendship.
I think this is an unique kind of film because it is based on a futuristic story but also contains truly humane emotions like friendship and unselfishness. The genre of this innovative cartoon movie is appropriate for everyone who wants to have a good laugh and in the same time to be thrilled by captivating and convincing dramatic situations. One of many funny moments in the film is, for exemple, when Leela and Fry try to "robot up" during their visit to Chapek 9.
In my opinion, "Futurama" is gripping and memorable movie which characters are adventurous, brave and exceedingly entertaining. I think it is inevitable that you will like it.

Film Review: Fear of Bot by S.Radovanovic

Futurama is a film directed by the same man who created "The Simpsons". That's not hard to notice, as all the characters are same as ones in popular TV series.
The main character in the film is Fry, a pizza delivery boy, who ended up in a time capsule and wakes up in the year 3000. In a totally new world he meets two new friends: robot Bender and one-eye girl, Leela. As the film continues they will be assigned to deliver lug nuts on planet Chapek 9, inhabited by robots. During the mission they knew that robots on Chapek 9 hate humans and if they see one, they will immediately kill him. So they decided Bender to go and deliver the lug nuts. But unexpectedly Bender gets caught by other robots. He manages to send a signal to a space ship where Fry and Leela were. They both decide to disguise into robots using metal beans and stuff they could find and rescue Bender. After they find him, he refuses their offer of rescue, because he likes the planet. Meanwhile Fry and Leela were placed on a trial and all the robots started looking for them. They were found and Bender was ordered to kill his friends.
If you want to know whether this story has a happy ending or not, you should see it. I would recommend it to anyone, even elders. It is full of humour, good jokes, excitement and new unusual things. Meed the Robot Elders and find out more about 3000 blernsball. You'll definitely like it.

Film Review: Fear of Bot by M.Savic

Matt Groening, the creator and executive director of “The Simpsons” has again done something superb. He created “Futurama”, another animated film for every population of watchers. “Fear Of The Planet Bot” and the whole serial of “Futurama” is taking place in year 3000..
Main characters are Fry, Leela and Bender.
Fry is an ordinary human who was frozen in year 2000. and again melted in year 3000.. He was a complete loser when he lived on planet Earth 2000. years ago. He had not had too many friends at that time, and he had serious problem with his girlfriend. He was a pizza-delivery boy and had problems with his income. After melting in year 3000., he has not changed at all, considering his behaviour and character. He is inconspicuous, open and friendly, but sometimes shy and reserved in showing his temporary feelings. He has got a new job. He is a space delivery boy, working in a team with Leela and Bender.
Leela is an one-eye female alien. She is Fry’s colleague and friend. She is cheerful and mischevious, but as a member of delivery crew she is trying to be bossy and a leader. In other words, she is a dainty-curious alien. She is very energetic just like Marge from “The Simpsons”.
Finally, Bender. Bender is an intelligent and cheerful robot. He is sometimes felling underestimated by humans, because people make robots in order to help them in their everyday’s life.
The story ‘Fear Of The Planet Bot” starts when Fry, Leela and Bender were ordered to deliver lug-nuts to planet Chapek 9. Chapek 9 is a planet of robots without people. In fact, robots from Chapek 9 hate people and kill people. They humt humans and make human-horror films. That was the main reason why Bender had to land alone to Chapek 9 and deliver lug-nuts. The queston is why do robots hate people on this planet? The answer is very simple. The autorities of Chapek 9 have invented the “human-hate” just to distract robot citizens from their real problem - not enough lug-nuts.
After landing on planet Bender gets caught and arrested, and Fry and Lela landed on the planet in order to rescue Bender. They have dressed themselves as robots. After a few minutes on the planet they were caught and proceeded on trial. In that moment they saw Bender as a robot leader which he became after telling other robots that he killed billions of people. But why did he told such a lie? Because he felt self-consious and he was hurt because of underestimating robots by people. He realized that earlier in the middle of a blernsball match (sport similar to baseball, but much more cruel for players and much more interesting for observers). After trial for being humans they were proceeded to Robot Elders who ordered Bender to kill Fry And Leela. Bender did not had strength to kill his friends and escaped together with them from Chapek 9, delivering lug-nuts from their flying machine and hopefully solved robots problem.

Film Review: Fear of Bot by P.Milicevic

Futurama presents one of the best cartoons created by Matt G,who became popular for the global known family from Springfield “The Simpsons”. It gives us a sneak preview to our possible future, and also brings up problems facing people nowadays but in a funny, hidden way.
The story begins in the present when an ordinary pizza delivery boy named Fry, a loser who everybody mocks and has no friends, stumbles across a creogenic freezing machine and accidently got trapped which resolved a winter sleep that lasted thousand years. Scared an confused in the beginning, he quickly adapts to the new environment but gets stuck with a similar job- now he delivers packages all over the universe. He teams up with Leela, the beautiful,peaceful kind Cyclopean girl who helps Fry in every situation, and Bender, the depressed robot who used to built suicide pots for robot and now wants to drown his guilt in alcohol and other illegal things.
In this episode we can clearly see the relationship between humans and robots. At a game of blernsball 3000, similar to baseball, Bender freaks out by the fact that only humans are aloud to compete and do all the dirty work. He feels like a little toaster tossed by side with no meaning and purpose in life. His rage got so big that he can't think straight. When they were on a mission to deliver a package to the planet Chapek 9, a junk planet inhabited by killer robots who despise humans with every inch of their mechanical body. Because Bender is the only one allowed to deliver the package he quickly gets “robot napped”. Frightened to death he makes up lies about his hatred towards humans and they soon accept him like a god. His big lies bring him fame and fortune. A dream come true! Everything he ever wanted was in the palm of his hand.
But when the robots capture Fry and Leela and sentences them to death, he realises that he doesn't need all that, that friendship is everything he ever needed.
Everything turns out well in the end. They escape from the planet and successfully delivering the precious cargo which contained lug nuts the robots desired most.
This episode clearly reflects the we have today, what people go trough to get what they want.
Everyone should have a look at Futurama. It's a funny cartoon with a lot of comedy which brings up many questions and makes you want to think about it.

Film Review: Fear of Bot by K.Vicentijevic

If you like “The Simpsons”, you will certainly like “Futurama”, TV show made by Matt Groening, who also created one of the most popular TV shows nowadays. Weather you are 7 or 77 you will enjoy watching this entertaining sitcom which, I am sure, will make you cry out laughing.
On the first sight you can see the author is the same, as plenty of the characters look a lot like the citizens of Springfield. Only this time, some other characters appear- Leela, one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot. Those two are only friends of Fry, an ordinary pizza delivery guy, who accidentally freezes himself and wakes up in year 3000.
While attending a New New York Yankees blernsball game at Madison Cube Garden, three of them are called back to the office for a delivery mission. The delivery of lug nuts is to be done to Chapek 9, a planet inhabited by human-hating robots, so Bender is assigned to performe the actual delivery. Upon arriving at the planet, a resentful Bender is lowered to the surface using the ship's winch. Fry and Leela receive a message from Bender, who has been captured by the robot separatists for being a human sympathizer. In order to avoid being killed on sight, Fry and Leela disguise themselves as robots, and infiltrate the robot society. In order to see what happens next, you wil have to watch this amazing episode!
Many would say this is one of the funniest episodes of “Futurama”, because of Bender’s and some other irrelevant characters’ lines. This episode is full of clever remarks and laugh-out-loud moments. What audience also liked were the names of the robot holidays that Bender came up with, such as Robonukah. If you ask me, I think this is the best episode for Bender’s funs.
As you can see, the storyline shows that this episode is excellent and will make you laugh. So I warmly recommend watching it because I am sure that none of those who watched it was disappointed. Check and see it yourself!

FILM REVIEW ASSIGNMENT

Dear Students,

Your new task is to watch a film from the Futurama series called Fear of the Planet Bot and to write a film review. Here are the guidelines that you should follow:

•Film background information

•Characters

•Plot
•Opinions
•Recommendation

After you write the review, you will check each other's papers and assess your work on the basis of a set rubric.

Mira