In the presence of the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Milorad Dodik, the celebrated Serbian and world director Emir Kusturica, donated ten of his digitized films to the Cinematheque of the Republic of Srpska today in Pale, making it the largest collection of films by a domestic author in the Cinematheque.

Kusturica noted his belonging to the Serbian culture and roots, dating back also to the deep sixties and seventies, the time of creation of black wave cinematography.

– At that time, I belonged to that cinematography spiritually, and after further studying also formally. These 10 digitized films have what is practically necessary to not forget the past – Kusturica told reporters in Pale.

Kusturica adds that that past is related to Yugoslavia, which would not have been possible without the First Serbian Uprising and the Salonika Front breakthrough, so no one in this area would speak the language they speak, but everyone would speak German or other languages.

– In a very civic way, I want to thank the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Milorad Dodik, for fighting for our culture and for not allowing our uprooting. I think that these 10 films are part of those roots and that we should hold on to them as strong as possible – said director Kusturica.

The Director of the Republic of Srpska Cinematheque, Snježan Lalović, thanked the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Milorad Dodik, for coming and visiting the Cinematheque in Pale and seeing the work conditions, and promising the help needed primarily to work and implement their programs.

Lalović states that they also owe a great deal of gratitude to the celebrated Serbian director Emir Kusturica, who donated his 10 digitized films to the Cinematheque and thus became the most represented author of feature films kept in the Archive.

According to him, the meeting discussed holding a retrospective of Kusturica’s films, with his participation.

– All that should be held on those new devices due to arrive at the Cinematheque. That way, we contribute to our identity, which we cultivate through programs and to bring joy to the audience, not only in Pale, but also in other areas – Lalović points out.

Parts of the films donated by the celebrated director to the Cinematheque were shown in the hall of the Cultural Center.

The meeting and screening of the films was also attended by the mayor of Pale, Boško Jugović.

The Srpska Cinematheque is a republic cultural institution whose main activity is archiving films, permanent storage and professional processing of film material and accompanying material.

The Cinematheque cooperates with similar institutions in the country and abroad, and exchanges films and film material.

The Cinematheque inherited everything that was created by the film company Srna Film since its founding in 1992.

Source: RTRS

Photo: SRNA