by EH
The penultimate day of the 36th edition of the Festival brought together prominent filmmakers, authors, and film enthusiasts for an eclectic celebration of cinema, literature, and cultural storytelling. Hosted at the historic Antico Caffè San Marco and theaters across the city, the program highlighted works from Serbia, Romania, Hungary, and beyond.
Meet the Filmmakers
At 11:00 AM, Antico Caffè San Marco welcomed festival guests for a Q&A session featuring filmmakers Dimitris Nakos (Meat), Saulė Bliuvaitė (Toxic), Sonja Prosenc (Family Therapy), Laila Pakalnina (Termini), Maciej J. Drygas (Trains), and Zlatko Pranjić (The Sky Above Zenica).
Later, at 6:00 PM, the café hosted a presentation of The Belgrade Trio by Goran Marković, an acclaimed Serbian director and author. The novel delves into the political tensions of Yugoslavia in 1948 and its infamous Goli Otok prison, interwoven with the experiences of British spy and writer Lawrence Durrell. Marković, also known for his award-winning films, engaged in a lively discussion with Sergio M. Grmek Germani, a Balkan cinema expert.
Film Screenings at Politeama Rossetti
The Politeama Rossetti theater offered a packed day of screenings:
- 2:00 PM: Za danas toliko (That’s All for Today) by Marko Đorđević, a poetic Serbian family drama first premiered in Belgrade.
- 6:00 PM: Fekete Point (Lesson Learned) by Hungarian filmmaker Bálint Szimler, a critique of Hungary’s oppressive educational system that premiered at Locarno.
- 8:15 PM: Trei kilometri până la capătul lumii (Three Kilometers to the End of the World) by Emanuel Pârvu, exploring the societal undercurrents of a Romanian village after a violent incident.
- 10:00 PM: Closing the day was Anul nou care n-a fost (The New Year That Never Came) by Bogdan Mureşanu, a haunting portrait of Romania’s 1989 revolution.
Spotlight on Romanian Cinema at Cinema Ambasciatori
Cinema Ambasciatori hosted screenings focusing on Romanian experimental cinema. Highlights included:
- 11:00 AM: A curated selection of experimental works.
- 2:00 PM: Opt ilustrate din lumea ideală (Eight Postcards from Utopia), a thought-provoking documentary by Radu Jude that explores Romania’s transition from socialism through found footage.
- 8:00 PM: Charlotte, Eine von uns (Charlotte, One of Us), a Swiss-Italian production by Rolando Colla, following a mentally ill woman’s journey to reconnect with her brother.
- 10:00 PM: Through the Graves the Wind is Blowing by Travis Wilkerson, a hybrid of documentary and fiction, reflecting Croatia’s post-Yugoslav identity.
A Celebration of Art and Identity
From gritty social realism to deeply personal narratives, this year’s festival underscored cinema’s power to reflect the complexities of human experience. With an eye toward history, politics, and emotional resonance, the event reaffirmed Trieste’s role as a hub for global artistic dialogue.
