PEOPLE LEAVE THE LIVING ROOM IN TEARS: What was the world premiere of the movie “Gift from Jasenovac” like?

The impression that Serbian Oscar nominee director Predrag Gaga Antonijevic left on the public was best seen when the lights were turned on after the screening. Some were numb, sitting in their seats, others rushed to the exit, with handkerchiefs and masks in their hands, while most could not comment, reports “Serbian Times”.

“What can I say, you’ve seen it all” was the most common response we received.

Slavica Petrovic, Director of the Chicago Serbian Film Festival, was able to comment:

– It is extremely difficult for me, the film is so shocking that it is difficult to say something afterwards. However, it is good that it was finally filmed and that people have a chance to see it, and those who did not know until now to get acquainted with what the Serbs survived in Jasenovac and other Ustasha camps, he said.

Petrovic also commented on the criticism that appeared in some US media, such as “Variety” and “Los Angeles Times.”

– When I saw those reviews, the first thing I thought was that these people had not seen the film, and the second was that they did not know anything about history. It is obvious that someone’s interests are at stake, because the language in which those reviews were written is not the language of film criticism, but the language of politics. I am afraid that the film will not go very far in the race for the Oscars, but it is sure that it will leave its mark and will be a testimony that will help to tear some things from oblivion and remember them forever – says Petrovic.

Dejan Cvetković does not share his opinion when it comes to the chances of “Dare from Jasenovac” for the prestigious award.

– I think the film is great, that sheds light on historical events that the world knew little about. In that sense, it is something new and I hope that there are still people who the truth burns their ears and eyes and who “Dara” will leave a great impression. Jasenovac is the most terrible Serbian word and the largest Serbian city after Belgrade, and no matter how difficult it was, all Serbs should think at least once a day about the evil that our compatriots and ancestors faced there, because that evil he has not disappeared or slept. hibernation – says Cvetkovic.

For the American film critic who characterized the film as “Serbian nationalist propaganda”, Cvetković says:

– I agree if, according to the same principle, “Schindler’s list” or “Pianist” are Jewish propaganda. The truth cannot be propaganda, it does not fall into political categories, but it is one and indisputable. You may only like it or not, but you can’t dispute it, add. The premieres in one of the two Chicago cinemas showing the movie “The Gift of Jasenovac” were attended by about thirty people, and the reasons for the lower attendance, along with pandemic measures limiting the number of seats available in theaters, it was heavy snowfall and the coldest day of the year (temperature -13 degrees Celsius), and a relatively weak campaign that followed the premiere screenings.

Hopefully, in the coming days, significantly more of our people living in the United States will have the opportunity to see “Daru de Jasenovac”, which certainly deserves this achievement. Apart from Chicago, the film is part of the cinematographic repertoire of Dallas, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Denver and West Palm Beach.

(Sputnjik.rs)