An actress rehearses for a controversial drama abut ordinary Germans during World War II VIDEO CNN's Matthew Chance looks at this group that uses the stage to voice their protest. Windows Media 28K 80K  ALSO: Ethnic Albanians refuse to end blockade against Russians

August 24, 1999
Web posted at: 10:03 p.m. EDT (0203 GMT)

From Correspondent Matthew Chance

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN) -- Final rehearsals are under way in Belgrade for a controversial drama that asks whether ordinary Germans were partly responsible for the crimes of the Nazis -- sensitive stuff in a country once occupied by German forces.

The organizers of the theater -- known as the Center for Cultural Decontamination -- say Serbia has more in common with post-Nazi Germany than many here would like to admit.

"There is something deadly and sick inside (Serbia)," said Borka Pavicevec of the theater.

After four bitter Balkan conflicts in the past decade, some believe that a play about Germany after World War II will hit home with many Serbs unhappy with their notorious leadership.

"Here we have killed individuals, and in the name of ethnic cleansing, so there are parallels with Germany," said actor Predrag Ejdus. "And we must all in Serbia be aware of what Germany went through after the war so that we collectively can learn from their experience."

The comparison between post-war Germany and Serbia following NATO's war on Yugoslavia may sit uncomfortably with audiences. Only the fringes of society are likely to see the play, although the theater group says that the issue at the heart of the drama is one that the whole country should examine.

The message that the organizers of the play say they are trying to get across is that responsibility for Serbia's leadership may lie in the hands of its people.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.