The film "Fiume o Morte" directed by Igor Bezinović won the "Daslačak" award for best film in the regional selection of this year's 16th UnderhillFest International Documentary Film Festival.
This was unanimously decided by the jury for feature-length documentaries, which consisted of: director Tiha K. Gudac and directors Luka Papić i Sead Sabotic.
"We live in a time that reminds us daily of the dangers of the past. Ideologies we thought were defeated - like fascism - are returning, more perfidious and disguised in modern language, but still devastating. At a time when we are witnessing war in Ukraine, genocide in Gaza and new conflicts around the world, the film 'Fiume o Morte' comes as a powerful warning. Through the story of fascist rule Gabriella D'Annunziata in Rijeka, director Igor Bezinović takes us back to the period between the two wars and shows how power, when not restrained by law or morality, leaves deep scars on society. This is not just a film about the past. 'Fiume o Morte' is a bold authorial commentary, full of irony, based on a lesser-known archive and precise insight into the present moment. Bezinović does not shy away from difficult topics - he exposes myths and confronts revisionism in contemporary Croatia," the jury emphasized in its explanation.
The award-winning film, which earlier won the "Tiger" award at the 54th International Film Festival in Rotterdam, as well as the FIPRESCI award from the International Federation of Film Critics, was screened last night, at the closing of Underhill, in front of a large audience at the "Dragan Ivanović" basketball court in Njegoš Park in Podgorica.
Festival spokesperson, Miroslav Miro Minic, He reminded that for 16 years, in addition to the most significant and contemporary documentary works, Underhill has been actively shaping the taste of the audience, believing in its willingness to change through the power of a true film story.
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"This year's selection brought 27 films, carefully chosen by the artistic director Vuk Perovic "- 27 stories that concern and touch us. There were more than 800 visitors at the opening, and every day Njegošev Park, Ribnica and the Montenegrin Cinematheque were full of those who want to watch, think and talk about film and reality," pointed out Minić.
He emphasized that they are particularly proud of four Montenegrin achievements: the world premiere of the film "Vude, you won" Senad Šahmanović, but also to the work of young authors: Mateja Raičković, Tamara Pavicevic and Aleksa Bujišić.
"UnderhillFest is much more than a festival - it is a space of togetherness, art, and truth. Thank you for being a part of it," said Minić.
The audience award, after the votes were counted, went to the film "Praslovan" by the director Slobodan Maksimović, which talks about work and life Zoran Predin.
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About the life of a shepherd on the Šar Mountain
The jury also awarded a Special Mention in the regional selection to the film "The Mountain Will Not Move" by director Petre SeliskarDuring the awards ceremony, they pointed out that the director had crafted a masterfully pure documentary that fascinates with its story and aesthetics alike.
"A meditative documentary journey provides a fascinating insight into the lives of four brothers destined by family tradition to live as shepherds isolated on the Šar Mountains. The film raises questions about the value of the ancient connection between man and nature and places the sustainability of tradition before the mirror of the contemporary moment," explained the jury members.
"Four Daughters" and their resistance to the world
The "Dandelion" award for best film in the international selection was given to the film "Four Daughters" by director Kauter Ben Hanije, which was shown as part of the "In Focus" program organized by Underhill in collaboration with the Women's Rights Center.
"Through reconstruction, this film depicts the process in which a mother and two younger daughters, with the help of hired actors, come to terms with the loss of their two older daughters who, as the mother herself says, were carried off by a wolf. Soon after the film draws us in, and then disarms us, we experience a head-on collision with the harsh world in which this family is trying to survive and we begin to wonder who the wolf the mother is talking about - any man who comes close to them, the deviant patriarchal legacy, political chaos, Islamic fundamentalists, or herself," the jury noted...
Explaining that they awarded the main prize in the international selection to the film "Four Daughters" for the way it turns reconstruction into an act of resistance, its inventive form, emotional depth and strong message about the world, they also pointed out that with this film, the protagonists show that they are capable of resisting a world that persistently tries to break them through humor, defiance, courage and their unbreakable love.
A film about Palestine: About a part of the world that is disappearing and the people who are returning to it
The jury awarded a special mention in the international selection to the film "Farewell, Tiberias" by director Line Soualem and which was received on her behalf by the Ambassador of Palestine to Montenegro Rabbi Alnantouli.
"With her personal story, the author immerses the viewer in the lives of several generations of women in her family, marked by departures and returns to their homeland of Palestine. This comprehensive and, at the current moment, extremely important film paints a rarely seen picture of a country full of colors, scents, longing, love, encounters and joy. With Farewell to Tiberias, the author leaves a documentary testimony about a part of the world that is disappearing and about the people who return to it after leaving," the jury members emphasized.
Quiet, strong, deep and brave "Lavender" by Mateja Raičković
Jury for the selection of "7 Short" - short documentary films directed by women Melita Vrsaljko, Hana Rastoder i Gana Comagić, decided that the "Dandelion" award for short documentary film should go to the film "Lavender" directed by Mateje Raickovic.
"Through carefully composed intimate shots, the film explores complex themes such as trauma, vulnerability, interpersonal connection and inner strength. Beyond the surface narrative, Mateja Raičković's Lavender stands out as a quiet but powerful process of personal transformation and acceptance, leaving a deep emotional mark through its honesty, aesthetic subtlety and authorial courage. Proactivity and empowerment place this film among those documentary creations that not only bear witness to personal experience, but also transform it into a universal call to resist violence."
The special jury award in the short documentary category went to the film "Thank you, mother" by the director Izidor Bistrović.
"In the deeply polarized times we live in, the author skillfully approaches the theme of identity differences by building bridges based on understanding and acceptance. Izidor Bistrović's film Thank You, Mother bravely exposes the complexity of the parent-child relationship, depicting raw intimacy, despair and enduring hope. The author, a son, humorously but wisely and sensitively approaches the theme of identity differences. He confronts his own disagreements with his mother's view of his life, trying to balance the need to please her and his own authenticity. This film not only depicts a complex relationship, but also explores a deep inner struggle and process of reconciliation, making it extremely relevant and moving," the jury said.
Young people learned about film and developed creativity, teamwork, empathy, tolerance...
After the award ceremony, there was a screening of three films by students of the TeenDocs documentary film school, which was realized with the help of the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro and the One company. The lecturers were film director Dejan Petrovic, film critic and producer Vuk Perovic, director and director of photography Ivan Cojbašić, cultural manager and producer Sladjana Petrovic Varagic, director David Todorovic and assembler Dmitar Janjušević.
School students: Vladimir Kojic, Petar Scepanovic, Sofija Stanisic, Sara Kostic, Sofia Miranovic, Teodora Panov, Marija Stanisc, Eva Obradovic, Mona Gusmirovic, Ivo Jokic, Ognjen Stanic i Marija Adamovic they brought three short films, namely: ""Faculty for the afternoon", "Then" i ""The smell after the rain."
"Through working on their films, high school students learned not only about documentary film, but also developed creativity, teamwork, empathy and tolerance. The mentors enthusiastically emphasized that they had the opportunity to work with smart, talented young people connected by strong energy, curiosity and togetherness," emphasized Minić.
The closing night of Underhill for this edition lasted well into the night, and a large number of visitors on the basketball court and in front of it, in Njegošev Park, enjoyed every segment of the evening, which continued after the film spectacle with good music, energy, and socializing...
Bonus video:
