Interesting to many great names of the movie industry, Serbian film can be described as an unusual and atypical, but, above everything else, an original art form. Numerous international awards placed Serbian cinematography among the major ones in Europe.
Even before the WWII 12 films were made in Serbia. The first Serbian film “Life and Work of the Immortal Vožd Karađorđe” dates back to 1911. Since then, and throughout one entire century, Serbian films developed rapidly, as a result of the further advancement of technology, but also thanks to the first-class actors and directors, who were mostly inspired by the turbulent events in the Balkans at the time.
One of the most significant stages in the history of the Serbian film is the tradition of the “partisan films”. It was when some of the greatest achievements in the Serbian and Yugoslavian cinematography were created. Quite well-known are hilarious comedies with brilliant generations of Yugoslavian comedians starting in the period from 1960s up until 1980s. The last decade of the 20th century brought on the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the civil wars that left their mark on Serbian films at the time.
Generally, Serbian films are characterized by realism and often cruel, “black” humor, which is a consequence of wars and hard life conditions in certain periods in Serbia, as well as the whole region. They depict a well-known character trait of the Serbian people – that even in the worst years and situations they still find a way to laugh, even if it is through tears.
Serbian films can make you both laugh and cry, but one thing is certain: they leave no one indifferent. Even many of the quotes from films gained a cult status and entered everyday communication of the citizens of Serbia, as well as its neighbours. The same goes for television – certain TV series marked the lives of entire generations, and even today attract devoted fans to re-watch them.
Serbian directors won prizes at prestigious festivals in Europe: the Golden Lion in Venice for the film “Do You Remember Dolly Bell?” by Emir Kusturica, a nomination for Oscars for the film “The Feather Gatherers” (known internationally as “I Even Met Happy Gypsies”) by Aleksandar Saša Petrović, while one of the best Serbian films of all time “Who’s Singin’ Over There?” by Slobodan Šijan, received Audience Award at Cannes.
A couple of film festivals are held in Serbia, while certainly the oldest among them is Belgrade FEST with a 40-year long tradition. Emir Kusturica established film festival “Kustendorf” in 2008 that takes place every January in the enchanting ethno-village Drvengrad, and that is repeatedly visited each year by some of the biggest names in the world of film.
Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert De Niro, Nikita Mikhalkov, Jack Nicholson, Kirk Douglas, Sissy Spacek, Frances Ford Coppola, Ralph Feinnes, Johnny Depp, Jim Jarmusch, Gerard Butler are just some of the famous artists who participated in Serbian films or were guests at Serbian festivals.
With its authenticity and originality, Serbian film art will most certainly offer you an unforgettable film experience. So, come and get it!
