in memoriam

Milutin Colic (1919-2009)
Interpreter of Movie Dreams

Seldom do — as in the case of Milutin Colic — real life and the stuff movie dreams are made of become so intertwined as to render difficulty in discerning what is real and what a film-generated illusion is. And this is precisely what happened. Several days after the opening of the movie-lovers' popular event — the Belgrade International Film Festival, better known as FEST — and a day ahead of the Oscar Ceremony that FEST has been longstanding in promoting, the creator of FEST and one of its founders, and for many years "Politika" daily's film critic, Milutin Colic passed on.

Milutin Colic, to friends and colleagues Colke — as sometimes he too would introduce himself — belongs in the forefront of top post-war film journalists and film industry professionals whose work penned the more recent history of Serbian and Yugoslav film.

This highlander, whose height and voice made him stand out at numerous film events and round tables, was born at Potocani, near the city of Uzice, in 1919. Following war experiences and some time spent in Norway, he initially worked in theater, as director of the National Theater in Uzice — and wrote play reviews. When he joined the "Politika" daily newspaper, he made writing about film and film reviews his lasting orientation.

In his rich media career he developed fruitful cooperation with numerous directors, actors and other film industry professionals, all of which he wrote about with passion and sound professional understanding but also with respect and love, even as his views differed from theirs. He did likewise with regard to young colleagues — film critics, was prepared to listen and exchange views, volunteer a friendly advice and extend hearty support. 

As a critic and writer on film, Milutin Colic left behind a bountiful legacy. He published a number of books and studies on film, including "The Yugoslav War Film", the "Best 15", the "View from the Gallery" and a travelogue titled "The Mask of Death Is a Flower".

Nevertheless, many years of his dedicated film review writing for "Politika" remain the crown of his whole career, a career that permanently singled him out as one of the foremost and most significant film critics.

His demise is a great loss for our written word on film.

Borislav Andjelic
© FIPRESCI 2009

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