All three feature-length films made in the neighboring country of Montenegro in 2011 were screened in September 2012 at the occasion of the Days of Montenegrin film in Tuškanac. It was the biggest number of films made in a single year in Montenegro, and this number probably won't be easily matched. That is the reason why this time we will see only one contemporary film - Ace of Spades: Bad Destiny by Draško Đurović, whuch was the Montenegrin candidate for an Oscar in the category Best Foreign Film. In addition, we will show two films made in the early days of organized professional cinema in that country.

The first feature-length film made in Monte Negro was the interesting Lažni car based on the writer Njegoš’s notes about an adventurer who proclaimed himself the Emperor of Montenegro in the second half of the 18th century. It was a feature film debut by Velimir Velja Stojanović (1921 – 1959), an interesting director who passed away too early. Prior to these films he made several documentaries about Montenegro that won domestic an international awards. Together with his permanent collaborator, the most prominent Montenegrin screenwriter Ratko Đurović (1914 -1998), he portrayed the false emperor's personality creating an interesting link between the governing ideology of the time with the legend. Rade Marković portrayed the emperor and created an extremely positive character. During the time when the aristocracy is condemned, the fact that he is a common man trying to survive by treating the sick is not usurping, but rather the proof of the unlimited possibilities for the common man, which was precisely what the government propagated at the time. That is why it is not important for his acknowledgement that one of the more respected people recognized the Russian Emperor in him, but rather the fact that he has the common sense to unite Montenegrins divided by hundreds of years of vendettas and to lead them to successfully fight the Turks. That is why he is also approved by the previous national leader, aged and weak vladika (an exceptionally rare example of a positive character of a priest in Yugoslavian cinema of the time), while his heir the iguman opposes firmly but unsuccessfully the idea thata common man would become an emperor. The plot is very simplified with extremely positive or negative characters, but nevertheless some excellent actors, although at moments theatrical, have managed to create some great roles. The lead actors, mostly from Belgrade theatres, that stand out include: Ljuba Tadić, Raša Plaović and Ljubiša Jovanović. One interesting supporting role was played by the Croatian actor Karlo Bulić, the famous Dotur Luigi from the series Naše malo misto. Moreover, Stojanović managed to achieve above average results with his suggestive directing of certain scenes that rely on inner suspense, as well as visual beauty of the expressive black and white camera of our great cameraman Frano Vodopivac. But Lažni car is primarily a Montenegrin film, but also an indicator of how back then - even though each national production had its own particularities – bigger productions involved some of the filmmakers from other republics (mostly to draw the audiences). This was perhaps more noticeable in Montenegro, since the small number of films meant they were lacking in professional team members.

On the other hand this small number of films (on average less than one feature-length a year) is the reason why in the SFR Yugoslavia, most successful Montenegrin filmmakers completed their films in other bigger centers. Thus, Ratko Đurović worked mostly in Belgrade, as well as Milo Đukanović (1927 – 1989), possibly the most popular Montenegrin director. He made successful comedies such as the TV series Kamiondžije (1972) and a film based on it - Paja i Jare (1973). He showed a talent for a more subtle sense of humor in Muškarci (1963), story about a macho man forced to change his habits and become a housekeeper for his overworked wife. Slobodan Perović received a Golden Arena Award for that role, and although the film was made in Montenegrin production, the film had no special national traits, since most of the roles were played by Serbian stars.

Modern, independent Montenegro is a small country and it was unable to significantly increase its production. However, the bond with the country is definitely evident. Ace of Spades: Bad Destiny by Draško Đurović is special in the sense of its theme as well as its artistoc expression. The hero is Beli, a criminal from the last war, who is portrayed with fascinating strength and evil energy by Branimir Popović. He literally dominates each frame in which he appears. I have not seen such characters in any of the Montenegrin films before. Đurović does not hold back from showing the killer and his entire devious mind, not only in the video that the monster made while his group were killing Muslims, but also in his attempt to flee Montenegro in which he involved his younger brother, and all other people he came in contact with. Although the author depicts the war from the early 1990’s as a tragic event affecting present life in Montenegro, it is not a drama or tragedy, but rather a genre action film appealing to wider audiences. He also hired foreign actors, such as the American Michael Madsen and Serbian Predrag Bjelac (he has been living in Prague for twenty years, and apart starring in Czech productions, works also in Hollywood). Visually attractive and tense, such a combination of characteristic Montenegrin mentality and an unusual thriller with a pinch of dark humor has brought its director several international awards, and managed to attract interest of audiences outside of Montenegro. Undoubtedly, such a selection from the Montenegrin cinema will be interesting to our audience as well. (Tomislav Kurelec)