Organized by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia for Southeastern Europe, in full cooperation with the Filmoteca de Catalunya, the fourth edition of the Catalan Film Days will take place in Belgrade from October 23 to 26, and in Sarajevo from November 6 to 9.
The festival will present seven films from different periods, none of which have previously been screened in Serbia. David Pužado, the festival’s artistic director, has carefully curated a selection around the theme “Women, Gazes, and Dissidences,” focusing on women both in front of and behind the camera, through stories that have reshaped cinematic narratives.
The first Catalan feature film was produced as early as 1897, only two years after the world’s first film, which shows that the tradition of Catalan cinema reaches back to the very beginnings of film history. In recent years, Catalan cinema has been marked by the remarkable rise of female filmmakers, who are now active in all areas of the industry. To introduce the local audience to their contribution and new artistic sensibilities, women are at the center of this year’s thematic framework.
In this spirit, the festival will open with the screening of “The Dominion of the Senses” (El domini dels sentits, 1997), directed by Judith Colell, Isabel Gardela, Núria Olivé-Bellés, Teresa Pelegrí, and Maria Ripoll. This omnibus film consists of five episodes, each dedicated to one of the senses – sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch – exploring their sensual and erotic dimensions. Each story belongs to a different genre (drama, thriller, melodrama, romance, and comedy), forming a unique mosaic of narrative and aesthetic approaches. The film also served as a milestone and inspiration for future female directors at a time when women were beginning to gain greater visibility in Catalonia. One of the directors, Judith Colell, is now an acclaimed filmmaker and the current President of the Catalan Film Academy.
The film will be screened on October 23 in Belgrade and on November 6 in Sarajevo.
The films presented at the festival offer unique ways of interpreting the world, highlighting dissidences – the idea of film as a critical space, a space of resistance, and an artistic tool for questioning norms and identities. In this sense, the program opens up a space for dialogue, debate, and critical reflection.
Alongside the screenings, the festival will feature an engaging side program, including discussions and workshops. The audience is invited to attend the screenings and join the accompanying events at the Yugoslav Film Archive in Belgrade, from October 23 to 26, to collectively discover Catalan cinema and culture.
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