"The Pula Film Festival expresses its support for the writer and screenwriter Vladimir Arsenijević after attack to which he was exposed in Belgrade and condemns every form of violence and intimidation aimed at artists and everyone who advocates for dialogue, freedom of expression and the culture of memory," it says on the website of this largest film festival in Croatia and Yugoslavia.
Film Three weeks later, of which Arsenijević is the co-writer, is part of this year's Pula festival in the Minority co-production program, and the organizers invite the audience to support Arsenijević by attending.
The film is scheduled for July 13 and 14 at the Istrian National Theater.
"After all, this film also talks about violence and its devastating consequences, reminding how important it is to recognize it, condemn it and not agree to remain silent," wrote the organizers of the Pula Festival.
It will be the Croatian premiere of this film.
Award in Karlovy Vary
Somehow simultaneously with this information from Pula, it was reported that the film Three weeks later won the Europa Cinemas Label award for the best European film at the 60th International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, where it had its world premiere.
The film was awarded on July 11, the same day that Vladimir Arsenijević was beaten under the Branko bridge. Arsenijević did not travel to Karlovy Vary with the crew of his film, because he was preparing a commemoration for the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica in Belgrade.
The jury of the festival in Karlovy Vary stated in the explanation of its decision: "We unanimously decided to award the Europa Cinemas Label award to the film Three weeks later Miroslav Terzić. This movie won us over from the very first frame and kept our attention until the very end. The acting ensemble played extremely strong and authentic roles. Miroslav Terzić's direction is impressive in every segment of the film industry. The film invites us to really listen to young people, to be with them and not to turn our heads."
In the movie synopsis Three weeks later which is listed on the Pula Festival website, writes: "Students VIII/2 go on a graduation trip a few weeks after the suicide of Andrija, their classmate. Due to a storm and a bus breakdown, the group is forced to spend the night in a mountain lodge. Isolation, lack of internet connection and signal, and a seemingly ordinary meeting of the class community, confronts the children and teachers with the real truth about Andrija's death and the fact that no one is innocent. The evil continues and increases, and the children find a new victim of violence, to Coc, Andrija's best friend."
It is expected that the screening of the film Three Weeks After in Serbian cinemas will begin this fall.
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