Scandal at the Palić European Film Festival!
The 32nd edition of the Palić European Film Festival is taking place from July 19 to 23, and it’s already stirring up a storm of emotions and questions right at the opening. The world premiere of the film “Sedef Magla,” the last work of the recently deceased director Milorad Milinković, is opening the festival. The film explores a dark and intriguing historical story about an assassination attempt in the cathedral and mysterious deaths, already sparking controversy.
Is this really the film of the year or just another sensation?
The film is set in 1903, when Jelena Ilka Marković attempts to kill King Milan Obrenović in the cathedral. She is sentenced to 20 years in prison but is soon found dead in her cell. The official version claims she hanged herself with a towel, but the evidence points to something much darker. Seven years later, fishermen find the body of a murdered girl on the banks of the Sava River, and in the Topčider forest, the body of the great-grandson of Prince Miloš is found. The investigation reveals that both murders are connected to the assassination attempt in the cathedral.
The film follows a failed lawyer and the head of the Belgrade police who try to solve the case, but the truth only brings chaos and danger.
Cast and Festival Selection
Starring Miloš Timotijević, Petar Strugar, Jana Ivanović, Nebojša Dugalić, Voja Brajović, and others, the film is shown out of competition in the main competitive program of the festival, which also includes other significant European titles.
A Festival That Keeps Intriguing
Besides “Sedef Magla,” the audience will also see “Two Prosecutors” by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa, which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, and the documentary “Hey, Salaši,” which closes the festival.
The main program selector is Nikolaj Nikitin, and the jury consists of respected film professionals from Germany, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia.
Has the Festival Lost Its Compass?
While the festival strives to showcase European cinema in the best light, the question arises whether choosing “Sedef Magla” to open the festival was the right move. Is this an artistic achievement or just an attempt to use controversy to attract attention?
Your Voice Matters!
What do you think about this choice? Did Milorad Milinković deserve to have his last film open the festival? Or is this just another trick in the world of film festivals? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or just crack a joke — because who likes watching films without a little drama?
