Cinehill will host some of the biggest names of international cinema from 22 to 27 July • In addition to relaxed socializing with prominent filmmakers, the program also includes their latest titles and cult classics
From 22 to 27 July, Fužine becomes the epicenter of international cinema, with exceptional guests who have left an indelible mark on world and regional filmmaking. We have Cinehill Festival to thank for this, held for the first time in this lovely Gorski Kotar town situated on the shores of two freshwater lakes.
For Jafar Panahi, one of the world’s greatest living directors, this will be his first visit to Cinehill, although ties with the festival hail back to the time when he was still banned from traveling. Eleven years ago, the Iranian director and winner of the main awards of the world’s most prestigious festivals participated in the Motovun Film Festival, from detention, as president of the Jury in Exile. This time he brings with him his latest feature It Was Just an Accident, this year’s winner of the Palme d’Or in Cannes, while Cinehill will also screen his two of his other notable features, The Circle and The Mirror.
Panahi will be presented with the Maverick Award for outstanding contribution to cinema, only this year, for the first time in the festival’s history, this prestigious award will be bestowed on two cinema greats. The other Maverick Award will go to one of the most daring and provocative contemporary filmmakers, Catherine Breillat, a French director and writer, known for her uncompromising artistic approach. Her career has been marked by films about female sexuality, clashes with patriarchal society and power relations, while the audience in Fužine will have the opportunity to see three of her key films: Fat Girl, A Real Young Girl and Romance.
In addition to this year’s Cannes laureate, also coming to Cinehill is the winner of Berlinale’s Golden Bear, the Norwegian feature Dreams (Sex Love), presented in person by producer Yngve Saether. This drama is part of the Sex – Dreams – Love trilogy from director Dag Johan Haegerud, praised for its authentic exploration of human intimacy. The coming-of-age romantic drama follows a 17-year-old girl who falls in love for the first time, with her French teacher. Director Vida Žagar will attend the world premiere of the documentary The World’s Best Film Professor, which tells the controversial story of Zagreb’s beloved film school professor. When he reveals to his students that he is suffering from leukemia, they launch a humanitarian campaign, but as the line between film and reality begins to blur, traces of long-standing collective silence came to the surface.
Legendary Slovenian mountaineer Viki Grošelj will attend the world premiere of the documentary Alpine Warriors, directed by his Croatian colleague Stipe Božić, winner of this year’s 50 Years festival award. Grošelj – the central character in the film, topped ten of the 14 peaks higher than 8000 meters in the Himalayas, often accompanied by Stipe Božić.
This year’s main program jury are quite interesting as well. In Fužine, the winners will be decided by French filmmaker Laetitia Dosch, who last year won over the Cinehill audience with her comedy drama Dog on Trial. Branka Katić, a London-based actress from Belgrade who appeared in several notable regional and international productions, is also known for roles in Croatian TV series The Paper and The Silence. Vinko Brešan is a renowned director of some of the most successful Croatian features and the managing director of production company Zagreb Film.
Cinehill in Fužine promises an unforgettable cinematic experience, bringing together the natural beauty of Gorski Kotar and superb filmmaking, in the presence of some of the most important names in contemporary film. Boasting an informal and laidback atmosphere, the festival is known for the fact that ordinary folk can find plenty of opportunity to rub shoulders with famous filmmakers. Tickets for the film program are available through the festival website cinehill.eu/tickets.
The festival is supported by the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the Tourist Boards of Kvarner and Gorski Kotar, and is co-organised with the Municipality of Fužine.
