TIFF presented Serb filmmaker Goran Paskaljevic with the Golden Alexander award in a festive event that took place at a packed Olympion Theater on Thursday November 19, in the framework of TIFF. Present at the honorary event were TIFF president Georges Corraface, director Despoina Mouzaki, Serb assistant secretary of Culture Nadica Momirov and the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Greece, Milan Dimitrijevic.
“We are very happy to present this award to a filmmaker of our own times and neighborhood. Goran, this award has a double meaning: on the one hand it symbolizes all that you have accomplished so far and on the other it is for the things we are expecting from you in the future”, said Mr. Corraface, addressing the Serb filmmaker.
TIFF director Despoina Mouzaki then presented the Golden Alexander to the distinguished filmmaker.
Goran Paskaljevic thanked the Festival and the audience for honoring the Festival’s tribute to his work by attending the screenings of his films. “It seems that cinema is not dying after all”, he stressed addressing the audience, adding: “It is my obligation to make more movies. I would like to dedicate this award to my actors. Without them I would never have been able to make any movies. I am very satisfied with the successful cooperation we had between Serbia and Albania in my new film, Honeymoons”. He then gave the floor to the film’s contributors, who stressed that it is their pleasure and honor to work with an artist who has the courage to freely express his views.
“Paskaljevic’ films are based on simple stories that narrate the life and struggles of everyday people, who have to cope with the consequences of great historical events and overcome all sorts of adversities”, noted Dimitris Kerkinos, TIFF’s Balkan Fund coordinator. “Although most of the time the adversities his heroes face are overwhelming, his belief in their dreams and values radiates a unique optimism. In his films, Paskaljevic observes and critically records the conditions that define local ways of life and makes a statement on the social tensions that shaped the politics of his country in the 1990s. His criticism is subtle. It is expressed by means of metaphors and symbolism”, added Mr. Kerkinos.
After the award ceremony, Paskaljevic’ film Mister Hrstka was screened. The evening was brought to end with the screening of his last work, Honeymoons, the first film ever to serve as a cinematic bridge between Serbia and Albania.
