Camaj: The Albanian language has no place in the basement, in the Montenegrin Cinematheque it was like a penance

Director of the Human Resources Department, Agron Camaj, expressed his displeasure over the decision of the organizers of the Džada Film Fest in Podgorica to hold a repeat screening of the film "Roda" in, as he said, the basement of the Montenegrin Cinematheque.

The film, whose screening was interrupted last week, following the incident in Zabjelo and the outcry of a group of individuals that the film was in Albanian, was shown last night at the festival's closing ceremony.

The Basic State Prosecutor's Office announced on September 5th that they had filed a case regarding the interruption of the screening, but have not since announced whether they have made a decision in the case.

"From Džada, from those from Džada, the Albanian language, my native language, was forcibly expelled! In the middle of my Montenegro! In the middle of my city, the city where I grew up! And somehow, these days, I have felt truly proud of my fellow citizens, all those who have spoken out in any way (with interest or not) regarding this iniquity of 'individuals' and, I am convinced, their principals. I say principals, because that child would not have been able to guess for an hour what the Albanian language sounds like, especially on film. RTCG acted promptly, showed the film in prime time the next day, and I was impatiently awaiting the screening announced for Sunday evening. I was not expecting any spectacle, but with an extremely positive feeling I headed to the Montenegrin Cinematheque for the screening," Camaj wrote on Instagram.

He says he is disappointed that the re-screening was held in the theater.

"Interrupted on the street, in a street manner, solely because it is in the Albanian language, the film 'Roda' (Alb. Lejleku) was shown tonight, instead of in the same place where it was interrupted, indoors, in a hall that, according to my layman's estimate, can accommodate about 50 viewers. The film was not closed, the Albanian language was closed, in the 'Gojko Kastratović' hall, in the basement of the Montenegrin Cinematheque. In the concrete mixer of the Montenegrin Cinematheque! Because of a film made by a director born in Montenegro, with a theme from Montenegro, which was supported by the institutions of Montenegro! In such circumstances, the absence of representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Capital City and others who had a place there tonight was not noticed. Only the irrelevant one came, who, anyway, no one asks anything about! And a police van! Tonight, when the screening was in the basement, they were there, just in case".

He said that the closing of the festival was "like a penance."

"The announcement stated that, because of everything that had happened, this year's jubilee tenth 'Džada Film Festival' would be closed with this screening. I don't know how it was at closing ceremonies in previous years, but this was like some sad repentance. No one addressed, either before or after the screening, to at least send a message to those who had to be there tonight. I will except the lame attempt by the organizer's representative to entertain the only guests for whom seats were reserved. (Not me, far from it, I was there in my usual role - as a citizen). But, the festival should be organized in the coming years, this is not the time to hold grudges against anyone, I guess! That's why this 'rotten compromise' by the organizers!!! The film was shown (in the basement, of course, not at Džada), and no one held grudges. Perfection! They performed in the style of Marcello Mastroianni! If this had happened in Belgrade, I am convinced that the courage of the people who lead the Serbian cultural scene would have been on a much higher level, immanent to the reach of their artistic talents. achievements and the proverbial stubbornness to not bow down to anyone".

Camaj said he expected "more and more honestly."

"One of the sentences in the film 'Roda' says: 'People from this region have been waiting their whole lives with suitcases in their hands: to go either to America or to the cemetery'. Perhaps this sentence prompted me to think again about the reasons for the departure of a large number of my compatriots to the USA, because the attitude towards the language of a national minority (especially when that language does not belong to the same language group and is incomprehensible to the majority of the population) is also an indicator of the attitude towards that national minority. I expected more! More honest! Well, I don't know what is worse – a violent interruption of the screening or this attempt at 'correction'! The fact remains that I have my 'Obraz' film directed by Nikola Vukčević and I can't wait for the premiere in my Podgorica and especially my Tuzi! There, on the street and everywhere else – we are equal, above all well-intentioned, open. And, how films in the Slavic languages ​​of the former Yugoslavia are received in Kosovo – Bernard Čobaj, our ambassador, will best testify to you. Well, those are spectacles! Finally, perhaps the intention the organizer was good, but the thread adorns the work - and the Albanian language does not belong in the basement!!! On the contrary," said Camaj.