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EMERGING PRODUCERS 2018

Milan Stojanović • Producer

“It is important to look for the cracks in the wall”

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- An interview with producer Milan Stojanović of Serbia's Sense Production, one of the participants of Jihlava's 2018 Emerging Producers

Milan Stojanović • Producer

An interview with producer Milan Stojanović of Serbia's Sense Production, one of the participants of Jihlava's 2018 Emerging Producers.

Why do you produce documentaries? Do you believe that they have the power to change the world? And how?
Milan Stojanović:
Any kind of art form has the power to enrich and thus change the World, doesn't it? Even more if the author's vision is sincere and strong. And I honestly believe this literally goes for all of them – rock music and graffiti artists, as well as for sculptors and scriptwriters. As for the line between documentary and fiction, for me it is blurry and (at least in the films I produce), these two types of expression very often overlap. 

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I think that, especially in the times of superficial and shallow communication such as today, stories with deep and subversive statements, told from a unique and unexpected point of view can inspire people to look for more – in communication, in life.

I would strongly recommend two wonderful films by my fellow Emerging Producers that fit that description 100% – The Challenge [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, produced by Fabrizio Polpettini and Opera About Poland, produced by Anna Gawlita.

What do you think is the future of distribution of documentary films?
Obviously, the market is constantly changing, so I think the present is teaching us that the future will be all about constantly being on the lookout and adapting, being ready to make turns and take new paths as they quickly open and close. Yes, the big VOD platforms seem to offer new space for various films, including documentaries, there are now more films then ever and it’s easy for a film to get lost, if not carefully guided. Especially for films by up-and-coming authors who are not big names yet and won’t be immediately picked up by big broadcasters, I think it’s important looking for the ‘’cracks in the wall’’ i.e. new unexpected ways to different audiences.

What projects do you have under way?
After its domestic premiere at the Belgrade International Documentary and Short Film Festival, The Way of the East by Katarina Mutic is starting its international festival run and we are very excited to share this film and see it travel.

Our new documentary adventure is The Forbidden Aunt, a heartbreaking and quirky directorial debut by the actress-turned-filmmaker Bojana Novakovic (TV series Shameless, Instinct). It’s a story of a once-talented-hairdresser Gordana, a colourful and energetic ex-alcoholic – that one ‘’crazy’’ relative we all have, but rarely get to really know.

Both projects were supported by Film Center Serbia.

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Emerging Producers is a promotional and educational project, which brings together talented European documentary film producers. The programme is organised and curated by the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival.

Deadline for applications to the Emerging Producers 2019 edition is 31 March, 2018. Click here.

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