Spajić: The film "The Mountain" further confirmed the correctness of the decision not to turn Sinjajevina into a military training ground

Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić attended the screening of the film "The Mountain" in Sinjajevina and assessed that this film further confirmed the correctness of the decision not to turn Sinjajevina into a military training ground, PR Center reports today.

"I am proud that this government stood behind the decision not to make Sinjajevina a military training ground. It may have seemed like a difficult decision to some, but for us it was simple and obvious," said Spajić.

He added that it is only now that we can fully see how important that decision was to the people living in Sinjajevina and how important it is for the local community to be included in the processes implemented by the state.

"It is important that the local community be part of all the efforts that the state undertakes. Ecology without the local community is simply not possible. It is one experience to watch a film in a tucked-away town, and quite another to watch it at almost 2.000 meters above sea level, at a temperature twenty degrees lower and in such a beautiful atmosphere," said Spajić.

He emphasized that he was proud of the film and the authors who realized, as he stated, an incredible project and presented the best of Montenegro.

"They showed the most beautiful nature and authentic people with sincere hearts. This is the real Montenegro," said Spajić.

According to him, the film has the potential to become one of Montenegro's best tourism products, because it promotes the country's nature, people, and values ​​in an authentic way.

"Culture, ecology, our authentic customs and our people - that's what we want to show the world. I am convinced that we have a very competitive product that will become increasingly popular," concluded Spajić.

The Director of the Film Center of Montenegro, Aleksandra Božović, assessed that the screening of the film "The Mountain" symbolically rounds off one of the most important weeks for Montenegrin cinematography since the establishment of the Film Center of Montenegro in 2017.

"Amendments to the Cinematography Law have been adopted, as well as a new regulation on incentive measures to attract foreign investors and productions that want to film in Montenegro, and this Sunday we are ending with the screening of the film 'The Mountain' right here in Sinjajevina," said Božović.

Speaking about the film's international success, she said that the awards that "The Mountain" won are of particular significance for a small cinematography like that of Montenegro.

"When a film wins the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival and draws the attention of the international public, Montenegrin cinema becomes more visible, and this opens the door to other domestic authors and achievements," said Božović.

According to her, the success of a film is the result of years of work by authors, producers, and institutions that support filmmaking.

Božović also emphasized that film can have a strong influence on public opinion and the creation of public policies.

"For more than a century, cinema has simultaneously accompanied and shaped society. The success of a film like this can significantly influence future directions of development, plans and frameworks within which Montenegrin cinema will further develop," she said.

Božović assessed that the presence of representatives of the executive branch at screenings of Montenegrin films represents an important message of support for domestic creators.

"When decision-makers monitor Montenegrin film and recognize the work of authors, directors, playwrights, screenwriters and producers, better conditions are created for the further development of cinematography and stronger institutional support for filmmakers," concluded Božović.

The President of the Council of the Film Center of Montenegro, Edin Jašarović, said that the screening of the film "The Mountain" at Sinjajevina sends a strong message about the importance of film, but also about the need to valorize authentic Montenegrin locations through culture and art.

"It is a special pleasure to watch the film 'The Mountain', which has reached numerous international audiences, precisely in the authentic space in which it was created," said Jašarović.

He pointed out that the Film Center of Montenegro, by promoting Sinjajevina and other film locations, wants to send a broader message about the value of Montenegro's natural resources and the need for their protection.

"It is important that we experience this space not only physically, but also through film, and that we spread its images and messages around the world," said Jašarović.

Speaking about the development of Montenegrin cinema, he assessed that changes to the legal and normative framework represent an important step towards stronger positioning of Montenegro as a film destination.

According to him, it is necessary for Sinjajevina, the Coast and the north of Montenegro to be recognized as attractive locations for domestic and international productions, but also for the state to further strengthen the capacities of the production service.

"It is important for Montenegrin film to be capable as a production service. This requires joint action by producers, production companies and institutions that create the legal and normative framework," said Jašarović.

He added that incentive measures and a system of refunding part of the invested funds represent an important mechanism for attracting foreign productions, especially considering the natural potential that Montenegro has.

"Other film systems may have developed incentive mechanisms, but they often do not have the kind of natural spectacle that Montenegro offers," said Jašarović.

He concluded that linking public policies, institutional support, and natural resources can further strengthen the country's international visibility.

"I believe that the film 'The Mountain' will contribute to Montenegrin film becoming one of the best recommendations for Montenegro," said Jašarović.

In front of an audience of almost 300 people, the Film Center of Montenegro, in cooperation with the production companies "Wake Up Films" and "Ardor Films" and the civic initiative Let's Save Sinjajevina, organized a special screening of the award-winning documentary film "The Mountain" in the courtyard of the Ružica Church in Sinjajevina.

The screening was organized at the place where the film was made, in front of the peaks that are themselves the protagonists of the film.