Pula Film Festival revives classic Croatian war comedy as Serbia launches De Gaulle biopic

The 73rd Pula Film Festival opened its summer programme in the historic Arena, featuring a fully restored copy of Vinko Brešan’s 1996 cult war‑comedy *Kako je počeo rat na mom otoku*. Festival director Danijel Pek said the film “gave us a sense of anxiety and uncertainty of war, but also showed that we could watch the future with humour.” Alongside the classic, audiences will see new titles by Pedro Almodóvar, Paweł Pawlikowski and Christopher Nolan, plus a regional slate with films from Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia and Italy.

In Belgrade, Concept Cinema by CineStar hosted an exclusive pre‑premiere of *De Gol: U senci otpora*, a biographical drama about Charles de Gaulle’s refusal to capitulate after France’s 1940 defeat. The screening was followed by a panel with historians discussing de Gaulle’s political legacy. The film will enter regular Serbian cinemas on 25 June through Blitz Film distribution.