Echo Ji.hlave: Czech and Slovak Documentary Film Review

The Ji.hlave International Documentary Film Festival is once again expanding beyond the Czech border this year, bringing a selection of the 4 best Czech and Slovak documentaries from last year’s festival to Belgrade. From 1st to 8th April, all documentary film lovers are welcome to the Czech House to enjoy an excellent selection of films.

Ji.hlava is Europe’s leading documentary film festival and the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The festival maintains a distinctive and progressive approach to its program, and has also built innovative industry projects with a focus on over 1,300 film professionals. Ji.hlava is known for its informal atmosphere, unique spirit of discussion and packed cinema halls. Since its inception, the festival has been held under the motto "Thinking Through Film". The Eho Ji.hlave project brings the festival spirit to various cities around the world, and this year it is coming to Belgrade!

If you have experienced it, you already know. If you haven't yet, we heartily recommend that you visit the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. There are many reasons for this - the atmosphere of a dreamy autumn city, where you make your way from cinema to cinema through a sea of red and yellow leaves, and after the last screening you voluntarily freeze in the circus tent, because the need to exchange impressions after the film is stronger than the winter that creeps into your bones. That is precisely why I present to you Eho Ji.hlave, which brings the festival atmosphere and selected documentaries to Belgrade.

I still remember the premiere of the film Grey Zone and how I was completely captivated by the collective three-minute silence after the screening. As well as the continuous applause at the premiere of the film Dajori and the appearance of all members of the Huckov family on stage. We will present these, as well as other films, to you in the newly opened cafe-cinema of the Czech House in Belgrade with the presence of Czech, Slovak, Italian and Serbian guests.

Considering that festival evenings are an indispensable part of Ji.hlava, the film screenings will be complemented by a musical program: as at Ji.hlava, at the opening of EHO DJ René Verlaine will perform, and the closing will be held in the spirit of the International Day of Roma and Roma Music. And let's not forget the most important thing! Throughout the show, a humanitarian pop-up bar will be at your disposal, where your thirst can contribute to a charitable cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Serbian non-profit organization Mali div, which provides support to families of premature born children. Cheers and see you at Ji.hlava! - Lucie Orbok, Director of the Czech Center Belgrade.

All screenings start at 19:00. Admission is free. Films will be shown with Serbian and English subtitles.