17th edition of UnderhillFest opens; Perović: Festivals are communities of people who want a better world

Festivals are communities of people who want a better world, who want to share ideas and emotions and to collectively share both tears and laughter.

This was, among other things, said by Vuk Perović, artistic director and selector of the UnderhillFest International Documentary Film Festival, at tonight's opening of the 17th edition of the event.

Underhill has been proving Perović's words all these years, and so it is tonight, on a packed basketball court in Njegošev Park, which has become a symbol of a strong documentary community and film lovers for years.

Perović reminded that Underhill turns "18 years old" next year.

"Adults, mature, responsible. Admittedly, that's what we've been up to now. And that's why we're where we are. Together with you, on a packed basketball court in a beautiful setting in Njegoš Park, in the center of the Capital City," said Perović, adding that, therefore, festivals are also much more than numbers.

Perović announced the films awarded in Berlin, Leipzig, Thessaloniki, Locarno, CPH DOX and, most importantly for us, Sundance.

"Films that speak boldly and without reservation about the world we live in and that change us. For the better. We will also watch six films of Montenegrin production. Films by authors you already know a lot about, but also some new names in Montenegrin documentary filmmaking," he pointed out.

And for starters - "The Mountain". It couldn't be better. After winning the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Documentary at the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival, "The Mountain" directed by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić opens this year's edition of the Underhill Festival.

The festival was officially opened a few minutes ago by Tutorov and Glomazić. Tutorov said that they see tonight's screening as a real premiere, despite numerous screenings around the world since January. Glomazić added that he is especially looking forward to this screening because it is the most beautiful, but also the most difficult, at home.

The premiere and opening of Underhill, among others, will be attended by the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić, Prince Nikola Petrović, Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović, representatives of foreign embassies in Montenegro, as well as the actors of the film, who earned a particularly loud and long applause.

Tutorov and Glomazić wished the audience to enjoy the films, followed by a screening of the large "Mountain".