ZAGREB, July 14, 2019 – The film General by director Antun Vrdoljak was premiered at the start of the 66th edition of the Pula Film Festival on Saturday evening after the opening ceremony which included a fireworks display in Pula’s landmark of Arena. Vrdoljak’s film is about the life of Croatian war hero general Ante Gotovina who had a crucial role in the 1995 military and police operation Storm when Croatia liberated the largest part of its occupied areas which used to be under the control of rebel Serbs since 1992.
After the showing of the film, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who delivered a speech at that opening ceremony, said that she found the film very emotional. The 2.5-hour film features Goran Višnjić, a Croatian American actor and producer, in the role of General Gotovina.
Before the screening, in her opening speech, the president said that she believed that the film “is not a story of just one deserving man – a general of the victorious Croatian Army Ante Gotovina – this is a story about the Homeland War, but above all the story of the Croatian struggle for human and national freedom.”
“This long historical story of ours has many protagonists and deserves many more quality movies,” the president concluded, declaring the festival open.
In her speech she also emphasised that “the lasting value of the Pula Film Festival lies in its presentation of contemporary Croatian film production, its diversity and versatility.” Therefore, the president awarded the festival the Charter of the Republic of Croatia, for its current work and as an incentive to persevere in the future.
Artists presented themselves and their works on this location, they were judged by experts, but above all by you, the audience of Pula, whose voice always has special importance and value, she added.
At a news conference before the opening ceremony, the Director of the Public Institution Pula Film Festival Gordana Restović thanked all the associates and the Culture Ministry, City of Pula, and the Istria County for their support and assistance to the Festival.
She also said that 110 films would be shown cross 17 venues until 21 July. The Croatian programme includes eight films.
More news about Ante Gotovina can be found in the Politics section.
