Interfaith Ritual Kinship in a Polyethnic Society: Review of the Film, “The Constitution”
Interfaith Ritual Kinship in a Polyethnic Society: Review of the Film, “The Constitution”

Summary/Abstract: The Constitution [Ustav Republike Hrvatske], a Croatian film written and directed by Rajko Grli? (2016), dramatizes how living together in a society challenged by interethnic hatred and homophobia requires interconnectedness and understanding. 1 Seemingly intractable differences are unexpectedly reconciled at the end of the film through the cultural custom of ritual kinship known as kum or godfatherhood. The film’s inspired but natural solution to interethnic conflict and intolerance introduces the subject of this short essay, namely, the unique role and unrecognized importance of interfaith ritual kinship for preserving solidarity and social order in a polyethnic society. Despite the deep wounding of this South Slav heritage, the cultural custom is faintly but tellingly sustained.

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