Underhill's films, world giants

It is a privilege to have a documentary film festival like Underhill, in the very heart of the capital, with the opportunity to watch the most relevant films both regionally and globally, all with the luxury of an affordable ticket, without waiting in lines, said the Croatian director. Tiha K. Gudac who is a member of the jury of the regional and international selection of the 16th International Documentary Film Festival UnderhillFest, which runs until Thursday evening.

"In our cities, in countries that do not have any world-relevant festivals, and even in our part of the world that is not central, we are truly privileged to have world-relevant documentary films available to us. This year's Underhill selection is such that we have films that are currently like giants on the international documentary scene, that is, those that are the most relevant. Therefore, I am using this opportunity, both as a jury member, author, and viewer, to invite people to come and watch the selected works, because a lot, if not the most, about the world can be learned through documentary film," she emphasized and added:

"There is no more powerful medium than a black box that captures all the senses. This way, you immerse yourself in the world of the author and the world of realities that documentary filmmaking speaks about, in a way that no other film or art form can," Gudac emphasized at yesterday's press conference.

In that sense, she added, the jury of the competition program in the two aforementioned selections has a difficult task, which was confirmed by her colleagues, the director from Serbia. Luka Papić and his Montenegrin colleague Sead Sabotic.

Šabotić also noted that the jury's task this year was extremely difficult, and he also praised the Montenegrin achievements that found their place in the program.

"There are enough diverse films, different approaches, and it is interesting that even on similar topics we have completely different films. Last year, there were two films by Montenegrin authors at Underhill, and this year there are four, which in a way also indicates that things are moving in that field, that some people are interested or starting to be interested in this type of film, which was not that popular in Montenegro. I have watched all the Montenegrin films, so I would like to say something about them, not in the context of sharing praises or criticisms, but simply to emphasize that it is important that they exist at all. For example, we have the film Mateje Raickovic which is quite brave in the process itself, where the author has exposed herself so much, and on the other hand we also have films that were produced by the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje, which shows that student work, whatever it may be, can pass serious selections and generally has its own audience. I would point out that this is a good basis, because in fact these young people would not have had the opportunity to make documentary films if it were not for that subject, and thanks to the professor Vlado Perović "who has been enthusiastic about it for years and has been working towards that goal, creating a serious group of people interested in documentary filmmaking. Among others, I belong to that group myself," Šabotić pointed out.

Papić said that in previous years, as a participant in the festival, he noticed that the selection was quite strong, but also eclectic.

"I saw that it was carefully put together, so that every night there are films that are interesting, accessible, that are there to keep the audience and attract them further, which is a good mechanism that allows the festival to grow. All of this, on the other hand, makes it really difficult for us as a jury, because the program is made up of different and very strong films. Considering that the festival program does not require any exclusivity of the premiere, but rather the selectors choose the films according to other, completely free criteria, our task is definitely more difficult," Papić concluded.

Gudac added that they are discussing "slowly and systematically" as much as possible.

"Jurying is always a bit of a subjective thing, especially since every film is important and relevant in its own way and in many other ways. And, in that sense, we have a lot of work to do, but I am very glad to be in that position where I can be bombarded in a way that I cannot when I am just a spectator or when I find myself at a festival where I cannot get a ticket, which is fortunately not the case here when it comes to the audience. This is a special festival for us as directors, because even though we are on the jury, we are actually authors, so it is especially nice and significant for us to have the opportunity to meet other authors and spend some quality, relaxed time with each other, which is not possible in large crowds. All in all, this is a creative process that introduces us to thinking and raising awareness of the picture of the world we live in now," Gudac pointed out.

Šabotić said that he expects the jury to "make the right decisions, so that quality, the best idea and the film win."

The director also shared his impressions of Underhill Dejan Petrovic who is a guest at the festival as a pedagogue-professor, within the school for high school students "Teen Docs", director of the film "Funk Yu" Franko Dujmic whose Montenegrin premiere was on Saturday evening, as well as the director Sylvester Sausage whose film "Our Children" was shown on Sunday evening, while Tanja Markuš announced the program "In Focus", and Tamara Pavićević premiere of his short film "This is not Kika".

The program "In Focus" has started, tonight at the "Four Daughters" Cinematheque

At yesterday's press conference, the program "In Focus" was also announced, which this year marks its anniversary - the 10th edition. Artist and coordinator of the cultural program at the Center for Women's Rights Tanja Markuš announced the repertoire at the Montenegrin Film Archive in the "Gojko Kastratović" hall at 18 pm.

"The goal of this program is to initiate discussions about the position of women, women's rights, but also women's creativity through film screenings and accompanying conversations," said Markuš.

This is a joint project of the Women's Rights Center and UnderhillFest, and it opened yesterday with the film "Hacking Hate".

"Today's program features 'Four Daughters', which is an interesting collaged story about family and relationships, about how patriarchy, power, control, and the violence on which it is based are actually passed down from generation to generation," announced Markuš.

“Four Daughters” comes from Oscar-nominated author Kauter Ben Haniya, and winner of the Best Documentary Award at Cannes, and is described as “a powerful exploration of rebellion, memory and sisterhood.”

After the film screening, a panel discussion will be organized, in which a psychotherapist and coordinator of the Support Service for Women Victims of Violence of the Central Women's Center will participate. Ana Jaredić and social worker Zorica Konatar, and will moderate Nina Bracanović, Project Manager of the Women's Rights Center. The film is being screened as part of the international selection.

Tomorrow, a film about Liza Minnelli will be on the program, and it is a multi-layered story that reveals her true character, Markuš hinted. After the screening of the film, the executive director of the Women's Rights Center, Maja Ravičević, will talk with Montenegrin actresses Milica Šćepanović and Julija Milačić Petrović Njegoš.