Opening of the 36th FEST

Opening the 36th FEST in the Main Hall of the Sava Center, Mr. Folker Schlendorf, the famous German director, said that he was extremely happy and honored for being again in Belgrade and for having been invited to open the Belgrade Film Festival. “I have reviewed the catalogue of the Festival, thick as a phonebook. I have already seen many of those films and I have to tell you that during the Festival, you will have the opportunity to see really the very best European, American and Asian films. In the coming days, some of those films will most definitely be awarded Oscars. I am happy and grateful to FEST for keeping film alive, because the choice on the market is currently very slim.”

Schlendorf also said that it was a great honor for him to have his film “Ulzhan” opening FEST and joked by saying that he remembered him “Tin Drum” was shown in Belgrade one hundred years ago. He also said to particularly like the program “Europe out of Europe”, it’s name to be more precise, which will soon become obsolete, when the notions of “inside” and “out” are concerned.

Schlendorf addressed the public following the speech by the Culture Minister of Serbia Vojislav Brajovic. Mr. Brajovic said: “If you love your country, if you love your city, if you love your culture, if you love domestic film, which was and remains part of world art, and liking means cheerishing, then the 36th FEST will survive on your love.”

After the opening ceremony, the spectators had the opportunity to see Folker Schlendorf’s “Ulzhan”.