The film “Don’t Cry, Mother” directed by Milana Majar and produced by RTRS has won the award for the best documentary in the category “Faithful to Memory” at the 10th International Film Festival “Fathers and Children”. This is the third recognition the film has received from Russia.
The documentary follows the life of Dragoljub Blagojević, who survived the massacre committed by the “Black Legion” of Jure Francetić in December 1941 in the village of Donji Pridjel near Doboj.
The protagonist of the film was taken to the “Stara Gradiška” concentration camp, and after the end of World War II, he grew up in homes for war orphans. He managed to discover his identity at the age of 22.
Receiving the award on behalf of the laureate, Banja Luka historian and theologian Dr. Nikola Ožegović emphasized:
“The film portrays just one of thousands of similar stories – the story of a man who, as a child, lost his identity due to the harsh circumstances of World War II when the Independent State of Croatia brutally killed tens of thousands of Serb children and separated thousands more from their parents.
This film is significant because it tells the story of a man separated from his parents, who lived for many years under a Muslim name, adopting a Muslim identity. I wish to thank you on behalf of the laureate and emphasize that we must continue speaking about this topic – the genocide against Serbs – and never forget this tragedy and our Serb history.”
This year, the festival received 150 applications, with 70 films selected for the competition program. The screenings were held in three “literary capitals” of Russia: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Oryol.
Dedicated to the Year of the Family, this year’s festival was held under the motto: “Changing the World for the Better through Film.”
The festival is unique as it provides an opportunity for different generations of filmmakers to create films that highlight and promote universal human values (spiritual, historical, cultural, literary, and family-related) while strengthening international creative connections through joint Russian and international cultural, educational, patriotic, and ecological projects.
The organizer and president of the festival’s organizing committee is Marina Kulikova, a Russian director and multiple award winner, including the Gold Medal of the Russian Peace Foundation.
Source: RTRS
