Damjana
| Damjana | |
|---|---|
 Promotional image for the show | |
| Genre | War miniseries Drama |
| Based on | Based on Damjana by Todor Miroslavov Valerieva |
| Written by | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova |
| Directed by | Duska Dimitroska |
| Starring | Zoran Vozetić Kiel Langov Hratch Samuelian Miroslav Pogonchev Nicolaos Kainowski Eduard Mijatović Igor Rozman Grigori Sashov Dimitrov Jamin Ilievski Haro Mkrtchyan |
| Country of origin | Syara |
| Original language(s) | Syaran |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Trayko Plamenov Ivanov |
| Production location(s) | Syara |
| Cinematography | Sanasar Takoushian |
| Editor(s) | Zlatan Turundzhov |
| Running time | 600 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Fused Productions |
| Budget | $85 million |
| Release | |
| Original network | AVT |
| Original release | May 23 – July 25, 2020 |
Damjana is a Syaran ten-part television miniseries produced for AVT. Damjana is based on the book of the same name by Todor Miroslavov Valerieva, which chronicles the experience of a squad of Syaran motorized infantry during the Zemplen War. The series was written by Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova and directed by Duska Dimitroska for Fused Productions. The show premiered on May 23, 2020, a decade after the beginning of the war, and aired its final installment on 25 July the same year, a week after the ten year anniversary of the war's end.
Named after the armored personnel carrier the squad rode in during the war, Damjana focuses mostly on the interpersonal relationships and experiences of the squad throughout the conflict. Although some of the events depicted in the show sparked controversy in Syara, the show was a major commercial and critical success. Damjana was voted the best Syaran television show of the 2010s despite its late entry, and became very popular with Syaran veterans for its accurate depiction of the Syaran National Army.
Production
Valerieva, a former noncommissioned officer in the Syaran Army, published Damjana in 2014. The book was a major success and became a bestseller in Syara, prompting the AVT affiliated Fused Productions company to secure a deal to produce a television series based on the book. Valerieva was brought upon to serve as a consultant for the production and appears as a cameo in several of the episodes. The series follows the duration of the Zemplen War shortly after its beginnings in June 2008 and concludes in July 2010, shortly after the Treaty of Aragon was signed. Filming was down in Syara from March 2019-Feburary 2020. There was a strong push to finish the series by the ten year anniversary of the war, and post production didn't finish until early May 2020.
Crew
The series was directed by Duska Dimitroska, with screenplay written by Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova. Both women had previously worked together on a number of projects with Fused Productions, which they felt helped ease the process. Karavelova, who's brother had been wounded in the war, stated she had a strong desire to express the conflict "honestly and authentically". Karavelova conducted extended interviews with former members of the squad to fully grasp their personality and speaking mannerisms, while Dimitroska and lead cinematographer Sanasar Takoushian met with numerous veterans to ensure the series was portrayed realistically.
Cast
About 20 starring cast members appear in the series, with a larger number of supporting cast. The principle characters the series followed were the original ten members of the squad, three of which were replaced during the series in accordance with real life events. Additional members of 3rd Platoon and Delta Company appear throughout the series.
The primary cast include:
- Junior Sergeant Domagoj Matkovićm, leader of Second Squad, portrayed by Zoran Vozetić
- Private First Class Dzvonko Soposki, machinegunner, portrayed by Kiel Langov
- Private First Class Arseni Nokiv, heavy grenadier, portrayed by Eduard Mijatović
- Private Angjelko Matliev, ammo carrier, portrayed by Hratch Samuelian
- Corporal Hrayr Sandrui, team leader, portrayed by Haro Mkrtchyan
- Private First Class Blazhe Merakovski, rifleman, portrayed by Igor Rozman
- Private Kliment Mitkov Bukhalov, rifleman, portrayed by Grigori Sashov Dimitrov
- Corporal Todor Miroslvov Valerieva, vehicle commander, portrayed by Miroslav Pognochev
- Private Yorgos Atsev, vehicle driver, portrayed by Jamin Ilievski
- Private First Class Marin Debeljak, vehicle gunner, portrayed by Nicolaos Kainowski
- Private First Class Emil Micallef, heavy grenadier, portrayed by Serije Kochevski (first appearance Episode 4)
- Private First Class Bared Kellejian, rifleman, portrayed by Sisag Cholakian (first appearance Episode 5)
- Private Blagun Georgiev Hadjiivanov, rifleman, portrayed by Apostol Zdravkov Vranchev (first appearance Episode 9)
Format
The series consists of ten episodes told in chronological order from near the beginning of the war to a few days after its ends. The episodes are sequenced to coincide with the duration of the war, but the timeframe each episode takes place in varies from a single day to several weeks. The series features no soundtrack; rather popular songs from the era and prior are sung a cappella by the characters intermediately throughout the series.
Describing the series as "part-documentary, part-drama, part-comedy," Director Duska Dimitroska has said the series intended to focus on the experiences of the soldiers as a group of people rather than as a military force. Combat scenes are relatively uncommon, with most of the show focusing on the dialouge between the characters and how their relations with one another develop over the war. According to writer Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova, the show was not intended to be "pro or anti-anything; it's just the experience these men had during this time".
While an overarching theme is not present for most the series, a common element for each episode features a debate between the squad members, usually on topics unrelated to the war such as favorite cuisine or the best dog breeds.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Mobilized" | Duska Dimitroska] | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | May 23, 2020 | |
| Junior Sergeant Domagoj Matkovićm is given command of Second Squad, 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 4th Battalion, 491st Motorized Brigade in late June 2008. Second Squad, assigned to a Notus armored personnel carrier known as Damjama, is a mixture of recent recruits, active duty troops, and reservists mobilized in the wake of the outbreak of the Zemplen War. While negotiations led by the OTN attend to stop the fighting between Ruvelka and Syara, Second Squad struggles to become mission capable due to a shortage of spare parts and equipment caused by the rapid mobilization of the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces. The squad consists of Matkovićm, his machinegunner Private First Class Soposki, heavy grenadier PFC Arseni, ammo carrier Private Matilev and his two teams; the maneuver element commanded by Corporal Sandruni, Privates Merakovski and Bukhalov, and the Damjama commanded by Corporal Valerieva, driven by Private Astev, and gunned by Private Dbeljak. Expectations that the conflict will be over before it starts are dashed when their platoon is informed that negotiations have failed. During the night they move out in convoys closer to the Ruvelkan border. | |||||
| 2 | "Over the top" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | May 30, 2020 | |
| Second Squad takes part in the August Offensive, although it spends most of the operation pulling rear security. The squad moves over the ancient battlefield Nemaro, leading to a debate over how many wars Syara has fought in. Along with the rest of the 49th Motorized Division 2nd Squad advances behind the main body, resulting in a pattern of war consisting mostly of stopping and starting their vehicle. During the middle of the night the Squad is suddenly informed their battalion will be conducting a flanking action against Ruvelkan forces near the city of Balatonalmádi, leading to a rapid night maneuver that nearly results in a vehicle collision with a tank. Delta Company eventually reaches the city outskirts and engages Ruvelkan forces amid residential buildings. PFC Nikov fires a rocket at what the squad thinks is a Ruvelkan armored car before the company assaults through, clearing the Ruvelkans from the building. After securing the area the squad discovers the armored car was a civilian vehicle carrying a family of three; among the dead is a child. The squad debates whether to report the incident to higher headquarters before Nikov attempts to shoot himself, leading Corporal Sandruni to remove the firing pin from Arseni's rifle. Matkovićm decides to inform Lt. Kozbašić, commander of 3rd Platoon, who surveys the situation and publicly concludes that the squad did not intentionally violate the rules of engagement. Privately Kozbašić takes Matkovićm aside and warns him that another similar incident and Kozbašić would have him court-martialed. The squad moves on from Balatonalmádi and concludes that Syara has fought in more wars than necessary. | |||||
| 3 | "Into the Breach" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | June 6, 2020 | |
| Second Squad spends a few days at the front line, most of which is quiet. During the night heavy artillery fire prevents much of the squad from sleeping. After weeks of living out of Damjana the squad has grown accustomed to living amongst one another. The squad's relative comfort is broken up by orders they will be taking up defensive positions to protect the brigade's artillery guns. The tasking soon proves frustrating for the squad, who detest being forced to conduct "battery babysitting". After four days of uneventful shelling, Ruvelkan Imperial Fusiliers infiltrate the Syaran position at night. Private Nikov attempts to defend himself, but his weapon is unable to function with the firing pin still removed and he is killed. The rest of the squad kills three of the Ruvelkan infiltrators, but not before three artillery pieces are sabotaged and ruined. The squad expects to be punished for their failure to protect the battery, but the onset of Operation Hippikon results in the entire affair being forgotten as Delta Company is rushed back into front line service. They successfully assist the brigade in overrunning a Ruvelkan infantry regiment, and are tasked with recovering intel from what remained of the Ruvelkan headquarters after it had been shelled by Syaran artillery. | |||||
| 4 | "Winter Mayhem" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | June 13, 2020 | |
| 2nd Battalion is rotated back to the rear after four weeks of front line service, during which the squad saw intermittent contact with the Ruvelkan military, which appears to be in retreat. Most of the squad believes its a sign that they will be home in time for the Winter Solstice celebrations, and receives Private First Class Emil Micallef from third squad to replace Nikov. While most believe the war will soon be over, Corporal Sandruni believes the Ruvelkans will attack again. His claims prove prophetic when the Ruvelkan Winter Counter-Offensive is launched, which results in the brigade being forced back into the front to attempt to stem the Ruvelkan advance. The squad engages elements of the Ruvelkan Imperial Army as they attempt to cross a river, resulting in the destruction of three Ruvelkan armored vehicles. The squad captures two Ruvelkan soldiers, both women, one younger and one older. Sergeant Matkovićm tries to hand off the prisoners to the military police, but is informed by Senior Sergeant Hadjiivanov, the platoon senior NCO, that none are available. The squad takes up positions along the river, but during the evening the older Ruvelkan prisoner attempts to escape and is shot by another soldier in the platoon. Matkovićm orders Merakovski to guard the remaining prisoner while the rest of the squad rotates to sleep during the night. They are later awakened to discover Merakovski in the middle of sexually assaulting the Ruvelkan POW. Matkovićm has Corporal Valerieva and Private First Class Debeljak take the Ruvelkan back to the Company headquarters and keep her there while the rest of the squad proceeds to beat Merakovski, which results in him having to spend two days with the battalion's medical staff. Matkovićm debates what to do with Merakovski when he returns, but ultimately the squad is ordered to move out with the rest of the brigade before anything more can be done. Private Matliev enters into a depression in early December, prompting concern among his comrades who stage an intervention, only to discover Matliev was saddened by the death of Liisa Salmela. | |||||
| 5 | "Spring Cleaning" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | June 20, 2020 | |
| In the spring of 2009 the squad takes part in additional training to prepare for the upcoming Operation Polyandreion. While waiting for the offensive to start the squad receives letters from Syaran schoolchildren as part of an outreach program by the Syaran National Army, prompting the squad to debate how many children they could take in a fight (ultimately settling on 35-50). Despite efforts to acquire additional lubrication and rounds for Damjana's 14.7mm turret machinegun, the squad is forced to deal with an unreliable heavy weapon. At the start of the spring offensive, the 49th Motorized Division moves forward and protects the flank of the advance, forcing Delta Company to clear a series of small villages. While entering one, Merakovski is shot by a Ruvelkan sniper and wounded. Pinned down by sniper fire, the squad is unable to rescue him and he bleeds to death. Unable to advance any further due to heavy resistance, the battalion pulls back and the squad watches as Syaran artillery levels the village along with nearby infrastructure. Hopes that they will fall back and regroup are dashed when the brigade is ordered to continue east and help capture the city of Sagerejo. The squad is further dismayed to learn that the relatively popular Lt. Kozbašić was killed, and his replacement is the infamous Lt. Ekshian. | |||||
| 6 | "Sagerejo" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | June 27, 2020 | |
| The squad dreads the approaching task of capturing Sagerejo, a major Ruvelkan city that has already engulfed the Syaran 1st Army. The squad arrives to find much of the city in ruin, with Syaran forces resorting to shelling the city into rubble rather than actually assaulting through the urban buildup. After several days of continuous bombardment the Syarans attempt a breakthrough to the south of city, which requires the squad's brigade to cover the flank from Ruvelkan counter-attacks. The squad is attached to a dedicated anti-tank unit along with the rest of their platoon. After the launch of the main effort, the squad's position comes under attack from Ruvelkan forces but the dug in Syarans inflict heavy losses on them at minimal cost of their own. Sagerejo is captured shortly afterwards and the Ruvelkans retreat, but the squad ponders the value of the victory given that most of Sagerejo has been reduced to rubble. After the battle the squad stumbles across a Ruvelkan soldier experiencing a mental breakdown; he is catatonic and does not respond to the squad's questioning. They debate what to do, with Corporal Sandruni suggests killing him, but the rest of the team disagrees. Valerieva manages to flag down an MP and they hand off the Ruvelkan, which leads to a discussion over what mental issues they might have by the time the war is over. | |||||
| 7 | "Red Leaves" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | July 4, 2020 | |
| The Ruvelkan Autumn Counter-Offensive forces the Syarans on the defensive, and the battalion comes under heavy air attack from the Ruvelkan Imperial Air Force, which kills several members of Delta Company. The squad complains about the performance of the brigade's air defense team, speculating why they never seem to shoot anything down. Just as the discussion is being had the brigade anti-air downs a Ruvelkan HH3 attack helicopter, which crashes near the squad's position. They advance to see if they can recover anything from the helo to realize that one of the crew has survived the crash, but the helicopter has caught on fire. The squad attempts to tell the pilot they will not harm her if she leaves, but the pilot is unable to escape due to the cockpit being jammed shut. The squad attempts to break the cockpit window to free her, but the pilot begins burning alive as it catches fire. Corporal Sandruni shoots the pilot as a mercy killing, and the squad watches as the helicopter burns. Later in the day the squad debates on the worst possible way to die, with being burned alive ultimately beating out drowning and being crushed by a steamroller. | |||||
| 8 | "Winter of their discontent" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | July 11, 2020 | |
| The heavy losses sustained over 2009 compel the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces to suspend major strategic offensives for the time being, bringing major actions to a halt save for small scale local operations. The squad finally receives an upgrade for Damjana, replacing the machinegun with a 20mm autocannon. During Operation Ouriachos the squad overruns a Ruvelkan firebase and are ordered to secure it for a few hours, but a halt to the operation results in the squad staying there for over two weeks. While exploring the squad discovers a cache of Ruvelkan military rations, which they eat and find of very poor quality in taste. This prompts a discussion over what culture has the best cuisine, with ultimately boils down to a tie between Cacerta and Tennai. The squad also finds various other objects left behind, including personal artifacts such as journals and family photographs, resulting in a wide ranging discussion on a comparison between Syaran and Ruvelkan cultural habits. Private Matliev learns that Jane Russell has died, prompting him to carve her name into his rifle. The battalion is ultimately rotated back just in time for the winter solstice, which they celebrate by drinking in Damjana with liquor they managed to find in an abandoned Ruvelkan home. Private Astev finally feels comfortable enough to reveal to the squad that he is a homosexual, resulting in the squad revealing that they had a betting pool ongoing to see when he would finally come out, which Soposki wins and gets $700. | |||||
| 9 | "How little we know" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova | July 18, 2020 | |
| The monotony of the front line begins to wear down on the squad, prompting various arguments and debates over whether the front line will remain in place and the borders changed to accommodate it, or if the Syarans will ever cross the Kurillas. Private Bukhalov learns that his brother was killed in Operation Lithobolos, making him the sole surviving male member of his family. Per Syaran Army policy, Bukhalov is slated to be re-assigned to an administrative function back in Syara in order to avoid the risk of his bloodline being wiped out, but he refuses and insists upon staying with the squad. Opposition comes unexpectedly from the normally stoic and cold Corporal Sandruni, who urges Bukhalov to accept the assignment to avoid the risk of his mother having to bury both her sons. After some resistance Bukhalov relents and leaves the squad in a tearful departure, and is replaced by Private Hadjiivanov from 1st Squad. The squad learns that the SCAF is preparing for a major offensive in the Fall, and that it is planned to knock Ruvelka out of the war, which the squad has difficulty believing. Private Kainowski expresses his belief that the new 20mm cannon on Damjana will be enough to stop any Ruvelkan push, leading Private Atsev to bet that the weapon will jam on them the next time they use it in combat. | |||||
| 10 | "End of the Line" | Duska Dimitroska | Nayda Kaloyanova Karavelova} | July 25, 2020 | |
| Ruvelka launches Operation Homefront, which forces the 49th Motorized Division on the defensive in an effort to bolster the front line. Delta Company is originally kept in reserve with the rest of the battalion, but after two weeks is ordered to relieve the beleaguered forward Syaran units. Just as the squad prepares to move out, the orders change and they are told to fall back and take up defensive positions further west due to the collapse of 9th Army to their south. Delta Company is forced to disperse due to Ruvelkan airstrikes, and by the time they arrive at the rendezvous point they discover that the Syaran armored battalion that was supposed to support them has already withdrawn further west. The squad becomes separated from the rest of Delta Company and attaches itself to a mechanized battalion, who have just received orders to retreat headlong. Morale plummets within the squad as they realize they are losing everything they had fought over for the past two years. Within a few days the squad is back in Syara, where they learn that a ceasefire has been requested by the Government of Syara. The squad is eventually reunited with their unit in Galania, where they watch the signing of the Treaty of Aragon. With the war over the squad debates on what to do now, with everyone ultimately agreeing to leave the Army after they are demobilized, but promise to stay in touch. | |||||
Critical Reception
Damjana was a major commercial and critical success within Syara, earning multiple awards for television production. The Zovahr Sentinel declared it a "masterpiece of cinematic storytelling", while Syarans voted it the best television series of the decade despite its late entry. The series was well received by Syaran veterans, who praised the accurate depiction of the conflict and their experiences.