Welcome to the second issue of Croats in London. CIL appears in the first week of every month.

This month: Closer Croatia Film Festival. In our Noticeboard: His Eminence Cardinal Bozanic Archbishop of Zagreb’s visit to London , Art exhibition by Josip Lizatovic and Film Festival details.

CIL takes a look at the Closer Croatia Film Festival

Vanessa Redgrave will the patron of the Closer Croatia Film Festival over 7 - 10 October at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. She will open Closer Croatia on 7 October.

A number of films will be screened over the weekend, including two showings of Croatian animation. The festival will be the most important Croatian cultural event held in the UK for many years.

Guests scheduled to appear include director Dalibor Matanic and actor Relja Basic.

Last issue, Croatian Ambassador Josip Paro gave his recommendations on film to watch - He Who Sings Means No Harm and Handcuffs.

For further recommendations as to what to watch, CIL gained the views of those involved in organising Closer Croatia.

Marko Krznaric, President of the Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network:
”The second animation programme. This selection is based on a top animation expert’s list of most important world animation. 10% were Croatian. Too good to miss. Also, Fine Dead Girls, a film about prejudice. It’s a modern film by top young director Dalibor Matanic”

Alex Miljkovic of the Croatian Artists Network:
”My personal favourite is Rondo. The unique atmosphere of this film slowly grows on you, and when it’s all over - you have to see it once again. Those who love Zagreb town will love it more after Rondo”

Petar Mihatov, Croatian Embassy:
”My choice is He Who Sings Means No Harm. It’s a charming bright comedy, a type of film almost never made by Croatian directors. Most comedies were based on dark humour and sarcasm. Except for cheering me up every time I see it, the film has an amazing cast. They are so good in their roles of typical middle class 30’s Zagreb people that you think of those actors as their He Who Sings... characters every time you see them on TV or in the street.”

This isn’t the first time there has been a Croatian film festival in London. There was a Croatian film season in 1971 at the National Film Theatre. It was arranged by Ken Wlaschin. He says of it that: “The series came about through my meetings and interest is various Croatian directors and possibly a visit to Zagreb for the animation festival. I was a great fan of Zagreb animation and a couple of the Croatian filmmakers.”

”The political climate was one of growing interest in Croatia as a cultural entity.”

Ken Wlaschin mentions Croatian animation; The Zagreb School of Animation is world renowned, and Closer Croatia will be screening two sets of tributes to it.

CIL has seen some of these animations. They are indeed very entertaining and interesting to watch. CIL’s favourites, from Animation 1: The Phantom of the Opera style Peau De Chagrin, the charming The Play, The Doctor Who reminiscent Fish-Eye and the fairy tale like Album.

From Animation 2, our favourites are: The Dali-esque The Inspector Returned Home, the hilarious and bizarre Oscar winning The Erzatz, the strange and imaginative Satiemania and the sweet I love You Too.

Closer Croatia will be unmissable - well worth attending.

For full details of the film festival go to www.csypn.org.uk/closercroatia

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