Bosnian pine, or munika, is a species of pine that naturally inhabits the highest forest zones of our limestone mountains. These are not favourable habitats for any trees. In fact, it could be said that Bosnian Pine settles in the harshest places for any tree to live at all.
Long ago, vast forests of Bosnian pine once covered large areas, but over the course of evolution, they were pushed back into high-mountain regions where they adapted to the harsh living conditions. Even today, they grow out of rock, on rocky terraces and cliffs, where with their strong roots they hold the soil together and gather the scarce water available, creating a home for many other plants, animals, and fungi.
This film was created out of a desire to present the Bosnian pine tree, which is special, fascinating, and worthy of attention in many ways, but also to draw attention to the increasing threats this species faces, which, under the influence of climate change, are becoming ever more challenging.
One of the film’s goals is also to highlight that today’s Bosnian pine forests are a reflection of our relationship with nature as a whole—and with ourselves.
Do you remember the phrase, “Oh, my Pine!”?