This series is an Aero Theatre Exclusive!

Only months after the Lumiere Brothers had dazzled Paris society with their tiny magical moving pictures, cinema arrived in the Croatian capital of Zagreb on October 3, 1896. Over a century later, the Croatian film industry has persevered. Neither political, societal nor financial hurdles were able to silence the voices of Croatian filmmakers. In 1961, Croatia's first Academy Award went to animated short "The Substitute" (Surogat) by Dušan Vukotic. The honor brought worldwide acclaim to the Zagreb School of Animation, which utilized a new aesthetic, based on avant garde abstract painting, constructivism and cubism. French historian Georges Sadoul named the school after eight of these inspired animated films screened at the 1959 Cannes Festival. Croatia's Jadran Film Studios has a 63-year tradition and is a wonderful reservoir of film history, not just Croatian cinema but of world cinema. During the 1970s and 1980s, Jadran became famous for its co-productions with the U.S. During those years, Croatia hosted the filming of features including SOPHIE'S CHOICE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and THE TIN DRUM, as well as TV miniseries "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance." The Pula Film Festival, Croatia's largest and one of Europe's oldest film festivals, will hold its 55th edition this year.

After WWII and the tight control of Communism, true auteurs slowly emerged who were not afraid to critique the prevailing system. Miletic was a Croatian film pioneer, followed by Bauer, Golik, Belan, Mimica, Tanhofer, Bulajic, Hadžic. Later Papic, Babaja, Berkovic and Vrdoljak were the leaders of cinematic auteurism -- different from one another in their opuses, and so original. Just when it looked as if it couldn't get any better, the students of the Prague School of Filmmaking -- Grlic, Zafranovic, Zalar – gave new life to the old guard as well as a new perspective to Tadic, Šorak and Radic, who came later.

Deeply rooted in the country's national literature, Croatian films reflect Central European attitudes about artistic expression. Life is typically portrayed realistically and budgets are slim.

In the 1990s, after the Homeland War, a new era of cinema emerged within a newly independent Croatia. The changes were obvious, and the new generation -- Brešan, Ogresta, Salaj, Nola, Schmidt, Hribar, Ostojic, Matanic -- used cinema to express not only their own dramatic experiences during the war, but to deliver a portrait of contemporary life in a newly independent country. Since then, even more strident and modern filmmakers have emerged, such as Svilicic, Milic and Žarkovic. Here in Hollywood, Croatian talent includes Oscar-winning producer Branko Lustig, (SCHINDLER'S LIST, GLADIATOR), actor Goran Višnjic (“ER,” WELCOME TO SARAJEVO), Rade Šerbedžija (THE SAINT, EYES WIDE SHUT), Mira Furlan (LOST) and Goran Dukic (WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY).

THE LIVING AND THE DEAD (ZIVI I MRTVI), 2007, 109 min. Dir. Kristijan Milic. Based on the bestselling novel by Josef Mlakic, this anti-war drama is one of the region's best films to emerge in many years. We follow the story of two Croatian platoons, separated by ideology, uniforms and half a century, fighting in the same Bosnian forest. The worlds of 1993 and WWII collide in a secret and timeless cemetery. The author's intention of illustrating the madness and absurdity of war is well demonstrated by an ensemble cast, but it is Velibor Topic's performance as the human war machine that stands out. This directorial debut by Milic is a favorite among festival programmers. NOT ON DVD. Discussion following with director Kristijian Milic and Filip Sovagovic (lead actor, The Living & the Dead).  Croatian Wine tasting reception following the screening.

TRESSETTE: A STORY OF AN ISLAND (TRESETA), 2006, 80 min. Dir. Drazen Zarkovic. A bittersweet look at life in a small village on a tiny Dalmatian island where four card-playing friends play Tressette every night. With most of the island's population relocated to bigger cities, the friends are faced with a dilemma when one of them unexpectedly dies. This brings the old man's daughter back to the island where she decides to stay and explore new horizons. While the remaining three friends approach several people, including the local priest to take their friend's place at the table, many of the island’s secrets are revealed. NOT ON DVD

WHAT IS A MAN WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE? (STO JE MUSKARAC BEZ BRKOVA), 2006, 109 min. Dir. Hrvoje Hribar. One of Croatia's best romantic comedies in years! A poignant yet hilarious tale of a pretty young widow, an aging emigrant who has returned home from Germany, and a priest from a bankrupt parish, all struggling to come to terms with the post-war environment, complete with its prejudices, illusions, and unpleasant mentality. What follows is a powerful, poignant romantic comedy set in a rough landscape, about a woman who falls in love with a local priest. He is not blind to her love, but he is unable to choose between the church and her, until circumstance forces him to make his choice. NOT ON DVD. Discussion following with Hrvoje Hribar (director, What's a Man without a Moustache).

ARMIN, 2007, Maxima Film, 82 min. Dir. Ognjen Svilicic. Armin and his father travel from their small Bosnian town to Zagreb, Croatia's capital, to audition for a movie. Armin's father, Ibro, desperately wants his teenage son to be famous and makes him take acting classes, much to Armin's embarrassment, while Armin just wants to play the accordion. A deeply touching film about love and self respect, Svilicic's film has garnered several awards and festival screenings, and it was Croatia's submission to this year's Academy Awards. NOT ON DVD