The movie “The Forger” directed by Maggie Peren took home the top honor at this year’s Linden Film Fest held in Cetinje from August 1-7. It’s the second time the festival has been celebrated. The jury, headed by Ana Vučković and with members Dejan Dabić and Aleksandar Radunović, chose the film, a production by Dreifilm, Armor fou, and Network Movie Film.
In 1942, the situation looks grim for Cioma Schönhaus (Louis Hofmann), a young Jewish individual residing in Berlin. His family has been sent to the concentration camps, and his dear friend, Det (Jonathan Berlin), is at risk of facing a similar destiny. Although Cioma has a temporary reprieve by working for an arms producer, it’s a fragile arrangement. His stern landlady, Frau Peters (Nina Gummich), is also pressuring both him and Det to depart. However, an unexpected opportunity arises for Cioma to use his artistic skills: forging ID papers to help Jews escape the nation. This becomes a cautious yet vital lifeline.
This gripping narrative, rooted in a real-life WWII tale, sheds light on a dark period when merely being human was an act of defiance, according to the jury’s statement.
In addition, Nina Ognjanović was recognized with a Special Award for her fresh directorial and scriptwriting stance in “This Way Will Go”, backed by Pointless Films, FDU, and RTS.
For documentary achievements, Bojana Radulović, Milorad Milatović, and Petar Komnenić selected “20 days in Marijupolje” by director Mstyslav Chernov as the winner. Anto Zlatko Stolica’s “Baba Janja” clinched the top spot for short documentaries. Srđan Perkić’s “Lights of Sarajevo” and Vladimir Perović’s “Percents of Life” were also specially acknowledged.
