15.12.2014.
Premiere of the film "Serbia in the Great War"
The documentary motion picture film “Serbia in the Great War” premiered tonight at the House of the Guard in Topcider, on the day of marking the centenary of the Battle of Kolubara. The premiere was attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, and state and military authorities. The author of the film is Sladjana Zaric, and Ivana Stivens the director.The film “Serbia in the Great War” was realized in coproduction of the Ministry of Defence, Military Film Center “Zastava Film” and Radio Television of Serbia.
Minister Gasic reminded that 100 years have passed since the Great War, but that the images of hardships and suffering of the Serbian people during those four years are still vivid.
- This is why this documentary film is important; it will remind us of the great sacrifice and deeds of the Serbian soldiers. Thanks to them, Serbia came out victorious. On the day when we are marking the end of the Battle of Kolubara, the historical victory of the Serbian military, we must not forget other important battles either. To this day, we admire this will to defend freedom – Minister of Defence said, adding that the effort of participants of the project was very important because it prevented a revision of history and stressed how important the role of Serbia was in the allied victory.According to Minister Gasic, this work depicts the Armed Forces of Serbia as the owner of a glorious tradition, and today’s members as worthy heirs of the historical mission of protecting our state.
- We dedicate this important film night with piety to the memory of all the brave soldiers that gave their lives to their and our Serbia, for freedom and a better life in our only country – Minister of Defence stressed.
Acting General Director of RTS Nikola Mirkov said that it was a great privilege dealing with glorious memories, and that privilege had resulted from the mission and commitments of our national and people’s institutions.- We should always remember that the solidarity, unity and togetherness of our ancestors left us a moral vow to defend what brings us together – the nation and the state. The Armed Forces have responded to us and we recognize the mutual interest. Thanks to them, tonight, I feel a hidden pulse of conceit – Mirkov said, thanking all participants of the project.
The author of the film, Sladjana Zaric, thanked everyone after the projection on their participation in the realization of “this very important historical textbook”.
The live action scenes feature most renowned Serbian actors – Voja Brajovic (Duke Radomir Putnik), Branislav Lecic (Duke Zivojin Misic), Miki Krstovic (Nikola Pasic) and Nikola Rakocevic, Srdjan Timarov, Ljubivoje Tadic, Branko Jerinic, and Vladimir Jocovic, while the Serbian soldiers in war sequences were faithfully portrayed by members of the Special Brigade, Third Army Brigade, and future officers, cadets of the Military Academy.
Simulations of war battles were executed in Pasuljanske Livade and Deliblatska Pescara. Crossing of the Serbian Army was filmed on Kopaonik.“Serbia in the Great War” was financed by the Government of Serbia as a part of marking of the centenary of the Great War, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The project was done chronologically. It was shot in 13 countries, and the RTS press team was the first one after a hundred years to follow the path the Serbian military had crossed from 1915 to 1918. Locations were chosen based on photographs from the Great War. The film was shot on Albanian mountains, in swamps, in Corfu, Thessaloniki, Dobro Polje – the mountain top from where the Thessaloniki Front was broken through. The monuments and cemeteries where bodies of Serbian soldiers and civilians remained, and cemeteries of Serbian war military prisoners and civilians were filmed.
The live action scenes are a reconstruction of important historical events and they are based on testimonies of contemporary individuals that remained written in historical books or war journals; this way, the live-action scenes, the authentic photographs and archive frames represent a unique historical document.
RTS Choir held a performance at tonight’s premiere, conducted by Bojan Sudjic.
PHOTOGALLERY
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VIDEOGALLERY- Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic [FLV]
- Acting General Director of RTS Nikola Mirkov [FLV]
- Excerpt from the film - Session of the Government of the Kingdom of Serbia [FLV]
- The Balkans [FLV]
- Professor John Roll [FLV]
- Beginning of bombardment [FLV]
- Lieutenant Colonel Slobodan Djukic [FLV]
- 1300 corporals [FLV]
- Breakthrough of the Thessaloniki Front [FLV]
- The premiere [FLV]
