Movie "River or Death!" Igor Bezinović from Croatia won the so-called European Oscar, that is, it was declared the best European documentary film in 2025.
The European Film Academy (EFA) Awards ceremony took place last night, January 17th, in Berlin. Five titles were nominated in the European Film Award for Best Documentary, and “Fiume o morte!” was also nominated for the EFA Award for Best European Film 2025, along with 14 titles. The award in that category went to the film “Sentimental Value” (Sentimental Value), Joakim Trier (Joachim Trier).
On the other hand, "Fiume o morte!" by Igor Bezinović from Croatia, which tells the story of the 16-month occupation of Rijeka about a hundred years ago, with a look at the rise of the far-right in contemporary Europe, won a prestigious award in the documentary film category.
Bezinović personally accepted the award at the EFA awards ceremony, which he dedicated to his hometown of Rijeka and everyone who participated in his film. He also recalled that 55.000 students recently protested in cities across Germany against the militarization of that country, and stressed that it was fascinating that this happened in Germany, which has invested a lot in education about the problems that wars bring, and he hopes that this protest will inspire students across Europe, including Croatia and his hometown of Rijeka, to protest on the same occasion.
"In 1919, the Italian poet, dandy, and war preacher Gabriele D'Annunzio occupied the city of Fiume. The citizens of the city of Fiume, today's Rijeka, retell and reinterpret the bizarre story of the sixteen-month occupation of their city in a brutally factual, yet defiantly punk film journey," the description states.
The film had its world premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival, where it won the festival's main prize and the FIPRESCI Prize, awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics. In the meantime, it has traveled the world, being included in the programs of more than 50 festivals, where it has won numerous awards.
It is also curious that the Montenegrin audience had the opportunity to watch it as part of last year's edition of the UnderhillFest International Documentary Film Festival in Podgorica, at the closing ceremony.
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"We saw the film in June at UnderhillFest, where it won the jury award and extremely high ratings from the audience. Through the story of D'Annunzio's fascist rule in Rijeka, the film clearly shows how unbridled power, myths and revisionism leave lasting consequences on society - both then and today. Congratulations to director Igor Bezinović, producer Vanji Jambrovic, the production company Restart, as well as the entire film crew," Underhill said.
The film is also this year's Croatian candidate for nomination for the Academy Award from the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and for the Goya Award from the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
It was produced by Restart, in co-production with Nosorogi from Slovenia (co-producer is Marina Gumzi) these Videomanta from Italy (co-produced by Erica Barbiani).
Audiences across the region will have the opportunity to watch the best documentary film in Europe in 2025 for free, as part of the Winter Edition of the Adriatic Region Festival Network, online, from January 23rd, when it will be available on the ondemand.kinomeetingpoint.ba platform.
A series of awards for "Sentimental Value"
In addition to the award for best film, Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" also won a number of awards. in other categories.
The European Film Award for Best Actor went to Stellan Skarsgard for her role in the film "Sentimental Value", while the award for best actress went to Renate Reinve also for a role in the same film.
The award for best director went to Joachim Trier who, along with Eskila Vogt, He also received an award for best screenwriter, also for the film "Sentimental Value".
"'Sentimental Value' follows the sisters Nora (Renate Reinve) i Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) as they reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård). He is a former famous director who offers actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns down the role, she soon discovers that he has given it to a young Hollywood star (Elle Fanning"Suddenly, the sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father and deal with an American star thrust right into the middle of their complex family dynamics," the synopsis reads.
The award for best animated feature film went to the film "Arco" by the author Welcome...
At the European Film Awards, he was named best cinematographer. Mauro Actor, the best film editor is Christopher Fernandez, and the award for best set designer went to Laiai AteciAll three worked on the same film "Sirat".
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Liv Ullmann, while the award for achievements in world cinema went to Alice Rohrwacher.
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