The Serbian–Montenegrin documentary film Planina (To Hold a Mountain), directed by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, has won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Best International Documentary Film at the Sundance Film Festival.
In the jury’s statement, composed of Tony Kamau, Bao Nguyen, and Kirsten Schaffer, it is said: “This visually and emotionally stunning film transported us to a remote mountain peak and into the most intimate moments of a family fighting to protect not only their land, but their way of life. The truest example of the power of film to make the political personal.”
The film Planina follows the fate of a mother and daughter who, on the remote heights of Sinjajevina, the largest pasture area in the Balkans, proudly defend their mountain and nomadic pastoral tradition from the establishment of a NATO military training ground. Mother and daughter are bound by an extraordinary love, but also by bitter memories.
In September 2019, the first international military exercise was held on Sinjajevina. Military maneuvers were initiated in the heart of the pastures, without any prior consultation with the pastoral communities that have used this grazing land for centuries.
Gara (59), a mother of six, a leader of the local community in the fight to protect the mountain, and her youngest daughter Nada (13) are fighting two important life battles – an environmental one, for the preservation of nature, and a personal, family one – confronting patriarchy and violence against women.
The film was shot on Mount Sinjajevina in northern Montenegro, at the location of the Okrugljak katun and the surrounding area, over a period of seven years (from 2018 to 2025).
“Love can be a political tool”
On the occasion of the award, screenwriter, director, and producer Biljana Tutorov stated: “I am overjoyed that this seven-year adventure has been crowned with such a great award. I am especially glad that the programmers, the audience, and the jury all recognized that love can be a powerful political tool.”
Screenwriter, director, and producer Petar Glomazić emphasized that the very selection of the film in the category of the best international documentary achievements is a great accomplishment.
“We didn’t even think about the award. I am especially proud that through this film Montenegro has been presented to the world through women. Suppressed and pushed into the shadows, women have been remembered only as nameless mothers who gave birth to heroes. Truly, I believe they have always been the true heroes of our society, and we dedicate this award to them,” said Glomazić.
The film Planina (To Hold a Mountain) premiered to thunderous applause and ovations from the audience at the Sundance Film Festival within the prestigious competitive selection World Cinema Documentary Competition. The premiere was attended by directors Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, director of photography Eva Kraljević, editor George Craig, composer Draško Adžić, French co-producer Quentinn Laurent, and protagonists Mileva Gara Jovanović and Nada Stanišić.
The film was made with the support of the Film Center of Serbia.
“A whole life condensed into two hours”
On the occasion of the premiere, Mileva Gara Jovanović stated: “I am overjoyed that we brought Sinjajevina to America. What I experienced here, I thought I never would. I think I am still dreaming that I flew over the ocean and that I am watching Sinjajevina, and my entire life condensed into two hours, and that everyone understands it. Only artists can do that. I could not have expected such a reaction from people from another continent. To see them moved to tears by how much emotion the film awakened in them.”
After the premiere screening, Nada Stanišić said: “This is a great, new experience. I am happy to be here and that people are responding well to the film and that they like it. It left a really big impression on me.”
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Source: Euronews; Foto: Printscreen YouTube / Sundance Institute