This year, the Herceg Novi Film Festival awards the prestigious “Milan Žmukić” award to the legendary writer, screenwriter and director Dušan Kovačević, one of the most important authors of Yugoslav and regional cinematography, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film art.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, at the opening ceremony of the 38th edition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival at Kanli Kula, where Kovačević will declare the festival open. A few days later, his literary evening will be held, in honor of his exceptional creativity.
Dušan Kovačević is the author of cult films that have become anthological works of Yugoslav and domestic cinematography. Among them are “Beasts” (directed by Živko Nikolić), “Ko to tamo peva” and “Marathonci run the lap of honor” (directed by Slobodan Šijan), “Special treatment” (Goran Paskaljević), as well as “Underground” (Emir Kusturica), for which he received prestigious awards, including the Palme d’Or in Cannes.
Also, as a screenwriter and director, Kovačević signed the films “Balkan Spy” (Golden Arena in Pula), “Professional” and “It’s Not Bad to Be Human”. The script for the film “Saint George Kills the Dragon”, based on his play, was directed by Srđan Dragojević in 2009.
This recognition was named in honor of the famous Yugoslav film producer and long-time director of festival and film institutions, Milan Žmukić, who founded the Yugoslav Film Directing Festival in 1987, today’s Herceg Novi Film Festival.
The official opening of this year’s edition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival “All Colors of the Film” will be marked by the Montenegrin premiere of the feature film “Otter” directed by Srđan Vuletić and screenwriter Stefan Bošković, which, after the world premiere at the Sarajevo Film Festival, will be shown to the audience in Herceg Novi for the first time.
The screening will be held at the Kanli tower on August 23 starting at 9:30 p.m., in the presence of the film crew and numerous guests from the country and the region.
From August 23 to 29, Herceg Novi will become the regional center of film art for the 38th time, hosting one of the most important festivals in Southeast Europe. This year, the Festival brings to the audience more than 60 productions in three competitive selections, as well as in rich revue programs, under the slogan “All the colors of the film”.
More information about the FFHN program is available on the websites www.filmfestival.me and www.hercegfest.me and on the Festival’s social networks.
Cover photo – Kovačević in Zvezdara theater, photo: Goran Srdanov
