ABSTRACT
Since the 1990s, Indian producers have been mobilising more and more filming locations in Western European countries and in the United States. Central and Eastern Europe has remained a grey area up until the expansion of the European Union in 2004. The process of political, economic, and social cohesion has opened new opportunities for Indian producers to explore “exotic” locations. Slovenia, the smallest of the countries belonging to the Central and Eastern Europe, has featured as an example thereof. This chapter explores the processes, mechanisms, and cultural contexts that have popularised destinations in Central and Eastern Europe in general and Slovenia in particular. As a post-socialist country that has nonetheless always maintained strong ties to the Western world, Slovenia is shown to occupy a rather specific place in the context of Indian–European film co-production, while nonetheless exhibiting tendencies that characterise the wider region. This serves to underline both the unity and diversity not only of the region itself but also of the problematic at hand. This research is based on ten in-depth interviews conducted in Slovenia and India with key stakeholders in the film industry, including organisations that use film for their purposes (e.g. destination marketing organisations, diplomats, film commissions). The comparative advantages of Slovenia as a destination for filmmakers are discovered to be affordable filming locations, a great variety of landscapes displaying beautiful natural scenery as well as cultural heritage, skilled technicians, and talented performers. However, Slovenia has only acted as a backdrop for Indian filmmakers so far. More efforts need to be made to raise its profile among filmmakers and consequently the audience.
