Director Bojan Stijović's debut film 'Black Trumpet' explores return to hometown and brotherhood

Bojan Stijović's debut feature film, "Crna truba" (Black Trumpet), is making its way to the Cinehill festival in Fužine following its European premiere in Pula. The film, starring Momčilo Otašević, blends thriller elements with family drama and a significant dose of black humor.

The narrative centers on Maksim Grahovac, a writer who left his native village of Grahovo years ago for a successful career in Zagreb. Circumstances force his return, where he intends to settle family inheritance matters with his estranged brother, Niko. However, his plans take a dark turn when a car accident results in a death, and Niko becomes the only one who can help him conceal the crime.

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You can run, become famous and successful, but you can never run away from your hometown.

Director Stijović felt compelled to make the film after screenwriter Stefan Bošković shared the initial idea. The theme of brotherhood resonated deeply with both Stijović and Bošković, who are long-time friends and collaborators and both have brothers. Stijović noted that the dramatic elements of the script perfectly suited his sensibility, allowing for a mix of psychological drama, thriller structure, and black humor.

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Everything is part of a classic narrative we have in various arts, but here it all had to be adapted to the Montenegrin mentality. And it is precisely the authenticity of our mentality that has made the film specific.

"Crna truba" revisits the archetypal theme of returning home, a narrative found in countless stories throughout art history. Stijović and Bošković infuse this classic tale with originality and a distinct Montenegrin flavor. "Everything is part of a classic narrative we have in various arts, but here it all had to be adapted to the Montenegrin mentality. And it is precisely the authenticity of our mentality that has made the film specific," Stijović explained.

Adding another layer of depth, Bošković simultaneously wrote his novel "Mjesto rođenja" (Birthplace) while developing the screenplay. This parallel creation process allowed the film and novel to complement each other, enriching the exploration of key themes: a critique of strong social and patriarchal patterns prevalent in the region, and the collision of modern life with traditional values. Stijović expressed particular interest in examining the position of contemporary individuals who believe they control their situations, contrasting this with the enduring influence of tradition.

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I was extremely interested in exploring the position of contemporary man who is very, shall we say, comfortable or somehow convinced that he controls the situation. This modern young man, who has do...