The EU Delegation to Montenegro and the EU Info Centre are organising the fifth, jubilee edition of the European Film Festival, during which ten movies will be screened in eight Montenegrin cities. The festival will begin in Podgorica on Tuesday, 10 September at the Karver Bookstore and will last for five days. In addition to the capital, the films will also be screened in Ulcinj, Kotor, Petrovac, Bijelo Polje, Niksic, Petnjica, and Mojkovac.
The selection for this year’s festival edition included films from contemporary European cinema, which have been awarded at numerous film screenings, mostly made in co-production within European countries, and with significant support from European Union funds. In addition to these films, there will be two Montenegrin movies on the repertoire, as well. The recent production by the young director, Ivan Marinovic, “The Black Pin” will be included alongside the movie “Men” which was directed in 1963 by the Montenegrin director Milorad Milo Djukanovic and produced by Lovcen Film.
The European Film Festival in Montenegro had a summer edition in Zabljak in July of this year for the first time, which was organised by the European Union in Montenegro in cooperation with a local Tourism Organisation.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IN PODGORICA IN THE KARVER BOOKSTORE, 10 – 14 SEPTEMBER
Partners: The Capital of Podgorica, the Montenegrin Cinema, and the Karver Bookstore
Tuesday, 10 September
20:00-20:15 CEST The Opening Ceremony of the European Film Festival
20:15-21:50 CEST “KING OF THE BELGIANS” by Peter Brosens, Jessica Woodworth (2016)
Countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria
Genre: Dramatic Comedy, Road Movie
Synopsis: King Nicolas III is a lonely soul who has the distinct feeling he’s living the wrong life. He embarks on a state visit to Istanbul with a British filmmaker, Duncan Lloyd, who has been commissioned by the Palace to shoot a documentary intended to polish the monarch’s rather dull image. The news breaks that Wallonia, Belgium’s southern half, has declared its independence. The King, bursting with purpose, must return home at once to save his kingdom. And for once, he declares, he will write his own damn speech. As they rally to depart, a solar storm strikes the earth causing communications to collapse and airspace to shut down. No phones. No planes. To make matters worse, Turkish security coldly dismisses the King’s suggestion they return home by road. But the King has no intention of waiting out this storm. Lloyd, sniffing an opportunity of historical proportions, hatches a dubious escape plan that involves flowery dresses and singing Bulgarians.
Film profile and trailer in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Film review in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Interview of Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
22:00-12:00 CEST A cocktail with a jazz quartet “Sanja Raickovic and the Band”
Wednesday, 11 September
20:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES” by Olmo Omerzu (2018)
Country: Czech Republic
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: The mischievously self-assured Mára and the somewhat eccentric Heduš set out into the frozen wastes in search of adventure – by car, naturally. After all, Mára’s turning fifteen soon. A road movie about the flies that occasionally buzz around even in winter, and a story – before it ends at the police station – that tells of the elusive bond of boyhood friendship and the irrepressible desire to experience something, even if you don’t exactly know what.
22:00 “DIAMANTINO” by Gabriel Abrantes, Daniel Schmidt (2018)
Countries: Portugal, France, Brazil
Genre: Dramatic Comedy
Synopsis: Diamantino, the world’s premiere soccer star loses his special touch and ends his career in disgrace. Searching for a new purpose, the international icon sets on a delirious odyssey where he confronts neo-fascism, the refugee crisis, genetic modification, and the hunt for the source of genius.
Film profile and trailer in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Film review in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Video Interview of Gabriel Abrantes, Daniel Schmidt in English.
Main Awards: Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize, Cine Ceará Feature Film Trophy, Philadelphia Film Festival Special Jury Award
Thursday, 12 September – The Montenegrin movie night
20:00 CEST “THE BLACK PIN” by Ivan Marinovic
Country: Montenegro
Genre: Drama, comedy
Synopsis: Father Peter fears that the universe is indifferent. God no longer intervenes. His wife left him, his only son opposes him, while his mother occasionally recognises him because of Alzheimer’s. All he wants is one moment of peace. The chances of this are unlikely, as the unlucky priest will become an insurmountable obstacle to the great sale of a piece of land planned by his parishioners. Peter refuses to become part of that transaction, and a group of charming but very vindictive villagers decide to chase away the father out of the village. The conflict reaches its apex at the funeral of an old woman who is believed by many to be a witch. In the surreal chaos that ensues, Peter faces the greatest and most absurd temptation of his life.
21:40-22:15 CEST “Montenegrin film – then and now” (a talk with filmmakers)
22:15 CEST “MEN” by Milorad Milo Djukanovic
Country: Yugoslavia (production of Lovcen film directed)
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: The wife of the citizen Djok Lazic is too busy and he cannot find a housekeeper, so he takes over some of his wife’s household duties. As time goes on, Djoko increasingly acts as a housewife, and his wife takes on his previous behavior. Replacing their roles causes many humorous quirks. The film was written Juliana Najman and Miroslav Milovanovic, directed by Milorad Milo Djukanovic, and shot by Stevo Radovic. The lead roles include some of the greatest movie stars of former Yugoslavia: Slobodan Perovic, Oliver Markovic, Mija Aleksic, Jelena Zigon, and Velimir Bata Zivojinovic.
Friday, 13 September
20:00 “OUT” by György Kristóf (2017)
Country: Hungary
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: After Ágoston, a middle-aged engineer, loses his job at a power plant, he sets off to wander through Eastern Europe with a desperate hope to find work as a fisherman. As his journey spins him deeper and deeper into bizarre events, meeting friendly, or even malicious people on the way, all his hopes and dreams are slowly shattered.
22:00 CEST “THE DISTANT BARKING OF DOGS” by Simon Lereng Wilmont (2017)
Country: Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: Ten-year-old Oleg lives in the eastern part of Ukraine — a warzone that often echoes with anti-aircraft fire and missile strikes. Sometimes, these sounds are in the distance, while other times they’re frighteningly close. While many have already left this dangerous area, Oleg remains with his grandmother, who has taken care of him since the death of his mother. They have nowhere else to go. While waiting for the war to end, Oleg enjoys hanging out with his younger cousin Yarik and the older boy Kostia. Together, they go on adventures, talk about what makes a real man, test each other’s boundaries — but sometimes they go too far. This observational film follows a year in the life of Oleg and emphasises the warm bond he has with his grandmother. By sticking close to Oleg, “The Distant Barking of Dogs” shows the effect of conflict on children.
Film profile and trailer in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Film review in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Main Awards: Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival First Appearance Award, DocAviv Film Festival Best International Film
Saturday, 14 September
20:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK” (PETIT PAYSAN) by Hubert Charuel (2017)
Countries: France
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Pierre is a 30-year-old dairy farmer. His life revolves around the family farm he took over, his cows, his veterinarian sister, and his parents. When the first cases of an epidemic disease break out in France, Pierre finds out that one of his animals is infected. Losing his cows is not an option for Pierre. He has nothing else and he will do whatever it takes to save them.
Film profile and trailer in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Film review in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Interview of Hubert Charuel in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
Main Awards: César Award for Best First Film, César Award for Best Actor, César Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
22:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS” by Almudena Carracedo, Robert Bahar (2018)
Countries: Spain, USA
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: “The Silence of Others” reveals the epic struggle of the victims of Spain’s 40-year dictatorship under General Franco, who continue to seek justice to this day. Filmed over six years, the film follows the survivors as they organise the ground-breaking ‘Argentine Lawsuit’ and fight a state-imposed amnesia of crimes against humanity, and explores a country still divided by four decades into democracy.
Film profile and trailer in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Film review in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Interview of Almudena Carracedo and Esther García in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
Main Awards: Berlin International Film Festival Panorama Audience Festival, Berlin International Film Festival Peace Film Award, Goya award Best Documentary
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IN KOTOR IN THE BOKA CINEMA, 17 – 21 SEPTEMBER
Partners: The Local Tourist Organisation and Cinema “Boka”
Tuesday, 17 September
20:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
22:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Wednesday, 18 September
20:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
22:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Thursday, 19 September – Montenegrin movie night
20:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
22:00 CEST “MEN”
Friday, 20 September
20:00 CEST “OUT”
22:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Saturday, 21 September
20:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
22:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IN PETROVAC IN THE MEMORIAL HOME “RED COMMUNE” 24-28 SEPTEMBER
Partners: “Budva Museums and Galleries” and “Red Commune” Memorial Home
Tuesday, 24 September
18:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
20:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Wednesday, 25 September
18:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
20:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Thursday, 26 September – Montenegrin movie night
18:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
20:00 CEST “MEN”
Friday, 27 September
18:00 CEST “OUT”
20:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Saturday, 28 September
18:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
20:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IN BIJELO POLJE AT THE VOSISLAV BULATOVIC STRUNJO CULTURE CENTRE FROM 30 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER
Partner: Cultural Centre “Vojislav Bulatovic Strunjo”
Monday, 30 September
18:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
20:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Tuesday, 1 October
18:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
20:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Wednesday, October 2nd -Montenegrin movie night
18:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
20:00 CEST “MEN”
Thursday, October 3rd
18:00 CEST “OUT”
20:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Friday, October 4th
18:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
20:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”
NIKŠIĆ FESTIVAL PROGRAMME IN THE NIKŠIĆ THEATER 7-11 OCTOBER
Partner: Nikšić Theater
Monday, 7 October
18:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
20:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Tuesday, October 8th
18:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
20:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Wednesday, 9 October – Montenegrin movie night
18:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
20:00 CEST “MEN”
Thursday, 10 October
18:00 CEST “OUT”
20:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Friday, 11 October
18:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
20:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”
THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AT THE CULTURE CENTRE FRIDAY, 14-18 OCTOBER
Partner: Cultural Centre Petnjica
Monday, 14 October
18:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
20:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Tuesday, 15 October
18:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
20:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Wednesday, 16 October – Montenegrin movie night
18:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
20:00 CEST “MEN”
Thursday, 17 October
18:00 CEST “OUT”
20:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Friday, 18 October
18:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
20:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IN MOJKOVAC AT THE CULTURE CENTRE, 21 – 25 OCTOBER
Partner: Nenad Rakocevic Cultural Centre
Monday, 21 October
18:00 CEST “KING OG BELGINAS”
20:00 CEST “STRANGER IN PARADISE”
Tuesday, 22 October
18:00 CEST “WINTER FLIES”
20:00 CEST “DIAMANTINO”
Wednesday, 23 October – Montenegrin movie night
18:00 CEST “NEEDLE BELOW THE THRESHOLD”
20:00 CEST “MEN”
Thursday, 24 October
18:00 CEST “OUT”
20:00 CEST “The Distant Barking Of Dogs”
Friday, 25 October
18:00 CEST “BLOODY MILK”
20:00 CEST “THE SILENCE OF OTHERS”