AUTUMN SEASON OPENS AT THE MUSEUM OF YUGOSLAV FILM ARCHIVE

Belgrade, 5 September 2003 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended the opening of the autumn season 2003/2004 at the Museum of Yugoslav Film Archive, where their host was the general manager, Mr. Radoslav Zelenovic.

In his address to the present guests HRH Crown Prince Alexander II said:

“The history of Serbian film is closely connected with my ancestors, and I am proud of that fact. The first film in Serbia was made on the occasion of the coronation of my great-grandfather, King Peter I, the first Serbian feature film, which we are going to have the pleasure to see tonight, was dedicated to my forefather, Supreme Leader Karadjordje.”

Then followed the exclusive projection of the first Serbian documentary film in color, “Exercise of Engineering Battalion”, made in 1940. This 15 minute documentary contains the record of King Petar II visit to a military unit, and it officially opened the season.

The film program of this evening consisted of parts of the first Serbian feature film directed by Cica Ilija Stanojevic “The Life and Achievements of Immortal Supreme Leader Karadjordje“ from 1911, “The Wedding of King Alexander I and Romanian Princess Maria” from 1922, and “The Visit of King Alexander I to Ploesty Oil Refinery”, made in 1933.

Beside Their Royal Highnesses the opening of the season was attended by a number of prominent public figures, as well as the members of the Crown Council.

As a memento of this evening, the Museum of Yugoslav Film Archive presented HRH Crown Prince Alexander II with a video cassette containing the whole material shown at the opening of the season.