PRESS CONFERENCE GORAN PASKALJEVIC
Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic, who participates in the 45th Thessaloniki Film Festival in the section “Contemporary Masters” with his film “Midwinter Night’s Dream” gave a press conference on Monday November 22nd 2004, at Warehouse C of the Thessaloniki Port. The Director of the Festival, Michel Demopoulos introduced Mr. Paskaljevic as one of the most significant cinematographers and added that his film “Midwinter Night’s Dream” “is breathtaking and extremely important for the current situation in Serbia”.
Goran Paskaljevic admitted that the idea for the film began a year ago. While contemplating on the reasons that led his country to this tragedy and observing that political forces of the past had begun to reappear, he ascertained that the Serbian people had become “autistic”. Paskaljevic also mentioned that on account of this metaphor, he became interested in this illness and met Jovana, the girl that stars in the film. “I approached her very slowly, and then met her mother, a very intelligent woman, until I was finally able to persuade her to play in the film. Hence, my film was transformed from a political metaphor to a personal story. Besides, I don’t believe in purely political films”, said Mr. Paskaljevic.
The film was shot in an industrial city, similar to Chernobyl, 15 kilometres from Belgrade and all the scenery and props on screen are real. The story of the autistic girl Paskaljevic admitted his difficulty in leading Jovana throughout the film. The star of the film, Lazar met Jovana for the first time in front of the camera. Shooting was delayed for seven days, in order for them to get to know each other. “Jovana needs to feel loved. During the shooting of the film we all loved her and now I see her as my daughter. As a matter of fact, after the film was finished Lazar and I visited her at home and took her for walks. She has greatly improved through the film”, said Paskaljevic.
He also admitted the ethical dilemma he faced of whether to use an autistic child in his film. Mr. Paskaljevic noted that the official premier of his film in Serbia is on November 25th. “The star will be Jovana”, he said and added that the film might bring some changes in her life. “I hope that I’ve been able to accomplish my mission and shed some light on autism. We must be open to these people. We must accept difference”. The Serbian director also made special mention for the Greek film “The king” saying that it is a great film with metaphors, which he supported as part of the jury of the Cairo Film Festival for its Golden Pyramid Award.
Crimes of the Serbians
According to Paskaljevic, this film is the first time that Serbian war crimes are exposed and added that as an artist he feels compelled to investigate the source of this evil. Paskaljevic explained his film’s title saying that he was inspired by a theatrical performance of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” by a group of Serbian mentally delayed children. ”I was amazed by their exhilaration and liveliness and the way that they enjoyed the applause”. As he said, the film was shot in the winter to symbolize the situation in his country.
Answering a question of whether his film would be distributed in Greece, Mr. Paskaljevic said that every director hopes for his films’ distribution, even on a small scale. “If you make sincere films, you will find your audience. As long as there is a bold distributor”, and added, “I don’t believe that the audience is stupid like the American distributors do”. As for his expectations for his film’s premiere in Serbia, Mr. Paskaljevic noted that a few special screenings provoked feelings of intense emotion in the audience. “The women were crying. Jokingly, I said: you can even sell tears”. Mr. Paskaljevic also mentioned that this is his 13th film. The audience is familiar with his work and he hopes that his new film is also well received.
