“Wake up, Serbia! Pumpaj: The Student Uprising” documentary released

A few days ago, Abellan posted a video announcement for the film on his Instagram profile, writing: “While much of Western youth drifts between apathy and the pull of the far right, Serbia’s youth rise up—fighting for democracy and human rights,” Moj Novi Sad reported.

He described the movement as the longest and largest student strike in modern European history, and questioned whether “a peaceful revolution can still triumph in the 21st century?”

Abellan also asks why this struggle is been kept in the shadows of global news, as well as what role lithium and international politics play in it all?

According to his website, Raul Gallego Abellan has dedicated his career to filming and thoroughly researching current events and underreported stories and voices. With his unique approach, he amplifies narratives that often go unheard but hold global significance. This choice of topics frequently takes him to war zones, natural disaster sites, scenes of social unrest, well as inspirational and moving character-driven stories.

After covering crisis situations in locations such as Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand, and China, Raul decided to turn the world’s attention to the ongoing student protests against corruption and political repression in Serbia.

Three young women from Novi Sad, students from the city’s Academy of Arts and from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, also participated in the filming. Those who have been following current events since the November 1, 2024 canopy collapse, will undoubtedly recognize many familiar faces. Among others, the film features student Relja Stanojevic, who was arrested during the first major protest after the canopy collapsed.

The full film, released on Thursday under the title: “Wake up, Serbia! Pumpaj: The Student Uprising | Point of No Return,” can be viewed below: