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Mirjana Karanović: European Film Festival Palić has become recognizable in the entire region

Last night, with a solemn ceremony in the EuroCinema in Subotica, the 27^th European Film Festival Palić,  that lasts until September 18, was opened. In the first festival evening, Aleksandar Lifka Awards were assigned for contribution to European cinematography to actress Mirjana Karanović in the category of Serbian, and Hungarian director Ildiko Enjedi in the category of foreign creators. Italian editor and director Sara Fgaier was awarded the Underground Spirit Award for outstanding work in the field of independent film. After the solemn ceremony, film "The Name of the People" directed by Darko Bajić, produced by Zillion film, was premiered, in the presence of the film crew.

Radoslav Zelenović, director of the Palić European Film Festival, commented on the organization of this year's festival edition at the press conference on the second day of the festival: "It seems to me that we are counting our festival this year, as a kind of his new era. The most important thing is that there is a festival, and that it is held. Not only as a festival of continuity, but above all as a festival of a fantastic experience, where all of us from the organization have shown that even in the most complicated, most difficult conditions, we can make a festival."

Miroslav Mogorović, the program director of the festival, said: "We went from one term to another, from the online edition to this one, which we still insisted on so much. We really did two festivals, if not three. Today is a big day for the festival, it has developed so much that we have over 10 programs that present films, as well as two exhibitions. One hard day for the organization, but a wonderful day for film lovers ”.

Ilija Tatić, the executive producer of the festival, thanked the audience for their patience and respect for the rules related to the epidemiological situation: "Having in mind the circumstances that have influenced us all year, we must be satisfied with the opening ceremony. I think that the conditions have been met for this to be a very good festival edition, which will not lack much. Regardless of everything, it is very important that cultural events finally returned to the stage and that cultural life in the country did not stop", Tatic pointed out.

At the opening ceremony, the director of the festival, Radoslav Zelenović, presented the Aleksandar Lifka Award to our celebrated actress Mirjana Karanović. She said at the press conference: "European Film Festival Palić has absolutely become recognizable, not only in our country but in the entire region, because it primarily promotes auteur film and creative thinking about the reality we live in. These are special films that are difficult to see in some other places." The legendary actress also referred on the award she received last night at the opening of the festival: "In the last few years, I have started receiving awards for my life's work. When you are young and receive an award, it is a kind of encouragement and support for the future. Such awards say that all the energy that I invested in what I did, I still have for this job, that readiness to conquer new spaces in the art universe, especially film, is in fact my career. The Award seems to say that I was good. "

Team of "The Name of the People" was led by our esteemed director Darko Bajić, who at the press conference commented on the feeling regarding the screening of the film, after a long break in the work of cultural institutions: "This seems like a good vitamin. I think that it is extremely important that Palić was brave, and that it is extremely important that we return to a normal life." About the reaction of the audience and the applause he received at the premiere, the famous director said: "Last night, the most beautiful thing was that, after a long time, the contact with the audience was good. We felt good when we were rewarded with a really nice applause, when people stood up and greeted the whole team responsible for this extremely difficult film. Going back to the 19^th century trying to get into that time, and to explore the historical story in the right way, was extremely demanding. I think the whole team really did their best."

The main role in the film is played by Ljubomir Bandović, who pointed out the great layering of the historical figure of Svetozar Miletić and his film character, but also the specificity of the era he lived in. He said about his personal experience of the role: "When you are a kid and when you dream of becoming an actor, you play some knights in the room, when no one is watching. You are playing a hero. When you reach a certain age, you realize that a knight does not have to carry a sword. He can wear a feather. In that sense, this was like the realization of a boy's dream, to get the role of a hero."

The young actress Anja Pavićević had the role of Milica Tomić, the daughter of Svetozar Miletić: "It is a great honor to have the opportunity to play a heroine like Milica in my first film. Although she knew what had happened to her father Svetozar, she continued to write like a nail clipper, to fight for truth and justice. She continued what her father started very bravely and decisively. "

Ana Franić played Anka Miletić in the film, who she said was a woman from the shadows, and full of love for her husband and child. "It is certain that MIlica would not be as she was, ahead of her time, if she did not have parents who nurtured and very much supported her, and a family in which love is something that can be read from every gesture." She added that, for her, the film was marked primarily by the role of Anja Pavićević, and that it is a role that is rarely written for a young actress. "Especially rarely is there an opportunity for such a young actress to appear, and such a nice, decent and subtle, beautiful young girl who has ennobled us all in this film," concluded Ana Franić.

The Film Center of Serbia supported the Palić European Film Festival. The opening ceremony was also attended by the director of the FCS, Gordan Matić, who emphasized at the press conference: " Palić Festival is very important for the infrastructure of cinematography in Serbia." I think it is one of the most important levers in that chain of festivals that take place in our country." Regarding the activities of the Film Center on the revival of film life in the country, Matić added: "Commissions are starting to work for the autumn slot of the competition." We also have new competitions that will be announced for the first time. A large number of films have been prepared to have a premiere, and now everyone is waiting for the right moment. I think we will have a serious number of great films, which will reach the audience very soon. "

On the third day of the festival, on Monday, September 14, in the EuroCinema, film CHARLATAN by Polish director Agnieszka Holland will be screened in the Main Competition Program at 8 pm, while at 10 pm the program presents WILDLAND by Danish director Jeanette Nordahl. In the Parallels and Encounters program, at 7:30 pm in Abazia Cinema, the repertoire includes films I AM FRANK by Slovenian director Metod Pevec and INSEPARABLE by director Marko Nabersnik, also from Slovenia. At the same place at 21:30, the program presents FOMO - FEAR OF MISSING by Hungarian director Attila Hartung.