President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, acting as patron, declared the 47th edition of the “Manaki Brothers” International Cinematographers’ Film Festival open and presented the “Golden Camera 300” award to this year’s laureate, Danish cinematographer Dan Laustsen.
In her address, she noted that “Manaki Brothers” has long since ceased to be merely a festival; it is a cultural institution with recognized international standing, a proven cultural identity and a long-standing spiritual and emotional bridge connecting Macedonian and Balkan cinema with the global film world.
She highlighted the particular significance of the fact that two Macedonian films which will open and close the festival’s 47th edition are included among the works of the twelve cinematographers in the official selection; this serves as both an acknowledgment and a boost for Macedonian cinema.
She pointed out that the camera is not only a technical tool for creating cinematic images, but a powerful aesthetic instrument and a witness to the times – one that does not simply record and display the world, but imbues it with meaning and enables us to understand it.
According to the President, this year’s motto of the festival “Film Weavers” is an exceptionally powerful metaphor, for film is woven from light and shadow, color and movement, sound and silence, volcanic emotions, original ideas and powerful visions, from the past, present and future, from tradition and innovation, and from the experience of great masters and the courage of new generations.
“From the pioneering feat of Janaki and Milton Manaki to the contemporary pinnacle achievements of world cinema, this festival story is woven continuously as a precious cultural heritage on the cinematic loom”, she said.
Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized that it is our duty to support, preserve and carry on this precious legacy, creating conditions for new generations of artists to create freely, experiment, ask bold questions and bravely push the horizons of possibility.
She noted that, despite lightning-fast changes, the digital deluge and modern visual technologies, the human being and human emotion remain the most important weavers of film stories, just as grandmothers are the most skilled weavers of carpets and Scheherazade-like tales.
“May Teona, Tamara, Dina, Kosara and Marija inspire other creative talents and voices in the film-weaving factory; may experience and wisdom meet youth and defiance; may the bright side of the Balkans, Europe and the world shine forth and help banish the darkness!”, the President said.
Below is the full text of President Siljanovska-Davkova’s address:
Distinguished cinematographers,
respected organizers,
esteemed guests,
honorable weavers of film stories,
dear friends of the Manaki Festival,
Attending the opening of the Manaki Film Festival in Bitola is, above all, an honor and a privilege, but also a unique aesthetic and intellectual challenge. Sharing cinematic experiences and engaging in artistic dialogue with world-renowned cinematographers – magicians both with and behind the camera – is an unfinished book comprising of 46 stories woven so far; stories heard and seen in Bitola, the city of the fathers of cinematic weaving, the first Balkan cinematographers: the brothers Janaki and Milton Manaki.
Bitola is known for its thirst for culture and the festival has become essential spiritual nourishment for the people of Bitola. The city beneath Mount Pelister lives for the festival, just as the festival lives within and alongside the city. Filmmakers from all over the world come to the streets of Bitola – streets immortalized on film by the Manaki brothers – to present their work and draw inspiration from the creations of others. Let me remind you of the words of the great Bergman: “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls. And darkness has an author – and he comes to Bitola”. A brilliant thought, dedicated to the world-renowned cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, who, alongside Dan Laustsen, is considered a major star of the festival. No less significant are the twelve cinematographers behind the films in the official selection. And, among them, a source of particular pride for us are the two Macedonian films that will open and close the 47th festival edition. In this, I recognize both an accolade and a powerful impetus for Macedonian cinema.
Dear friends,
With this edition of the “Manaki Brothers” International Cinematographers’ Film Festival, we once again affirm our commitment to art, culture and creativity as sublime expressions of human spiritual freedom. Indeed, “Manaki Brothers” has long since ceased to be merely a festival. It is a cultural institution of recognized international standing and proven cultural identity – a long-standing spiritual and emotional bridge connecting Macedonian and Balkan cinema with the global stage. Woven into its rich tapestry is a vital cinematic truth: the camera is not merely a technical tool for creating film images, but a crucial witness and a powerful aesthetic instrument. It does not simply record time; it imbues it with meaning. It does not merely show us the world; it enables us to interpret and understand it. Therein lies the true greatness of cinematographers and their art. They transform light into story, space into atmosphere, the moment into memory and the human gaze into a universal language. In this sense, the festival’s motto this year – “Film Weavers” – is an exceptionally powerful metaphor. It is true that film is woven from light and shadow, color and movement, sound and silence, volcanic emotions, original ideas and visions. It is woven in the present, yet also from the past and the future, from tradition and innovation, from the experience of great masters and the courage of new generations. The history of “Manaki Brothers” is precisely such a weaving. From the pioneering feat of Janaki and Milton Manaki to the contemporary pinnacles of world cinema, this festival story continues to be woven as a precious cultural heritage on the film loom. It is our duty to support, preserve, and carry it forward. We are obliged to create conditions for new generations of artists to create, experiment, ask bold questions and push the horizons of possibility.
In an era of lightning-fast changes, a digital deluge and modern visual technologies, unimaginable opportunities and challenges are opening up for cinema. Yet, I believe that no matter how much technologies change, the fundamental and essential realization remains: human beings and their emotions are the most important weavers of film stories, just as grandmothers are the finest weavers of carpets and Scheherazade-like tales.
May the thread started by the Manaki brothers continue to be woven – on and on – with knowledge, skill, courage and an eternal love for art.
May Teona, Tamara, Dina, Kosara and Marija inspire other creative talents and voices within this cinematic weaving workshop; may experience and wisdom meet youth and defiance; may the bright side of the Balkans, Europe and the world shine forth and help dispel the darkness!
It is with great honor and pleasure that I declare the 47th edition of the “Manaki Brothers” International Cinematographers’ Film Festival open and leave you in the hands of the weavers!
Thank you.
