Slano Film Days Gathers Global Film Elite: Gyllenhaal Enjoys Peace, Cunningham Hides Behind Camera

The Slano Film Days festival has officially commenced in Croatia, bringing together a constellation of global film elite in a relaxed and creative atmosphere. The event, founded and led by producer Mirsad Purivatra, is hosted in the beautifully restored Duke's Palace.

Among the notable attendees are returning guests like Oscar-winning director Pawel Pawlikowski, who will present his film "Fatherland." This year also marks the debut of acclaimed actors Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Liam Cunningham, widely recognized for his role as Ser Davos Seaworth in "Game of Thrones."

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Enthusiast with great pretensions

During the informal gatherings on the festival's opening day, Liam Cunningham made a distinct impression. Often seen on the periphery, almost unrecognizable behind a thick beard and in casual attire, he appeared to be a keen observer. His attention was particularly drawn to a small Leica camera, with which he meticulously documented the surrounding events.

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It used to be said that a picture does not lie, and now it is completely the opposite – all photographs are processed, therefore they are necessarily false.

When playfully asked about his photographic pursuits, Cunningham described himself as an "enthusiast with great pretensions." He revealed a deep passion for photography, a hobby he pursues with dedication, having saved over twenty thousand photos from the "Game of Thrones" set alone. He expressed a desire to publish his work but admitted to being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material. Cunningham also reflected on the changing nature of photography, lamenting the prevalence of digitally altered images over the perceived authenticity of film photography.

Cunningham also disclosed that he is acting in a new film by Bosnian director Jasmila Žbanić, which he described with admiration. He will portray a Guardian reporter who testified about war crimes in The Hague. The conversation touched upon the festival's other guests and the competitive spirit of identifying them.

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I would like to, but I cannot face the horror of so much material.