The capital of Serbia has inspired many artists for centuries, and from this October it will be richer for the first film about Belgrade made by Serbian-Canadian writer, director, producer and editor, Boris Malagurski. Before the premiere of the new film “Belgrade with Boris Malagurski”, which will be held on October 19th at the Sava Center, Boris talks for Serbia.com.

To foreign and local audience this young director is known for documentary films “Kosovo, can you imagine” and “The weight of Chains”. His third film is dedicated to the capital of Serbia – the city of director’s soul, and he wanted to tell the whole world: “Belgrade has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe!”

Boris talks to us about what encouraged him to make the first long-length documentary film about the Serbian capital, his favorite places and its atmosphere…

You lived in Canada a part of your life. Did nostalgia inspire you to introduce our capital to the world through the film?

In Canada a lot of people asked me where I was from. After saying I am from Serbia, the most common question was “Is there still a war?’’ I wanted to answer that question through the film – the war was over and capital of Serbia has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. I wouldn’t say it was about nostalgia, because I didn’t miss Serbia as it was back then- I wanted to introduce Serbia to the world as it is today and to awake the love for country with hope that we all together promote the good things and to change what is wrong.

What made you make the film about Belgrade, considering the fact that you grew up in Subotica?

Subotica will always be my home town, but I love Belgrade with all my heart. Having the unique culture and tradition, warm and hospitable people who are always ready to help, extraordinary nightlife, great food, substantial museums, Belgrade is the gem of our country which we ought to represent in a better light to the world. Certainly, our capital is often a springboard for visiting the other destinations in Serbia, so my goal was also to attract tourists to come and see Belgrade, after which many of them would wish to visit the other parts of our beautiful country.

Snimanje filma
Movie shooting scene

The film is primarily intended for foreign audiences and the local public. When I played the film to my friends, who were born in Belgrade, they were surprised with the fact that in Belgrade there are so many interesting things about this city which they have never heard of. I am confident that our tourist attractions need a good PR both in the world and in the country- to stop wining that everything is bad and to unite around good things and continue to build a better society for all.

 

Do you think you managed to wrap all the sights and atmosphere of the capital?

It is impossible to cover all the sights, but I certainly tried to recreate the atmosphere of our city through the stories of the history and the present. I believe that after the movie people will approach me to say that I have something else to put in, something important to them when it comes to Belgrade, but it will make me much joy. Especially because this will hopefully, inspire people to promote what they think is important and that will contribute to the overall effort to change the image of citizens around the world about our capital, our country and our people.

Do you have your “hidden corner”, favorite place in Belgrade?

Teodora Stanišljević, collaborator on the film, once said that she would like Belgrade was so small that she can hold it. I feel the same way, it is hard to choose just one favorite place because the whole city is fabulous and each part has its own uniqueness.

Where do you take your friends from abroad when they come to Belgrade?

It depends on the interest they have, but I always take them to Kalemegdan, there begins the history of our capital, and walk to Knez Mihailova to feel the beauty of the local people and wish they can walk the streets of Belgrade every day. Of cours, I always go to the Temple of Saint Sava, where I explain them that our main drawback is not to finish what we start something, but on the other hand, the things we have are very beautiful and inspiring. They are fascinated with our food. I know that after visiting Belgrade, they continue to look for serbian restaurants in their city so that they can eat ćevape, kajmak and Karađorđeva šnicla. Among the many beautiful places, we always go on splavove (clubs on the water) and for them this is memorable experience. If they drink a lot, they usually cannot remember anything, but they are always satisfied!

Tell me five reasons why to visit Belgrade

There are million reasons but some of the main ones are certainly hospitable and beautiful people, unbelievably tasty serbian food, the best nightlife in the world, museums, buildings with culture and historical heritage and of course, the fact they can return home and say: „I am from Belgrade too“.

 

 

Tags

BelgradeFilm

Leave a Reply

Related Articles