A dark comedy and thriller film, Black Trumpet follows a famous writer who accidentally kills a man while returning to his Montenegrin hometown and who is welcomed by the local community as a hero.
The film starring Momčilo Otašević, Marko Janketić, and Milica Janevski had its world premiere recently, at the 73rd Pula Film Festival, thus making the screening on 25 August 2026 at Kanli Kula, Herceg Novi, its domestic premiere.
Black Trumpet / Crna truba is a coproduction between Montenegro and Serbia, produced by Cut-Up d.o.o. and coproduced by Pelicula Production. It was supported by the Film Centre of Montenegro, Film Center Serbia, and the Radio and Television of Montenegro.
The most important film festival in Montenegro and one of the most important in Southeast Europe, the Herceg Novi – Montenegro Film Festival is taking place under the slogan All the Colours of Film / Sve boje filma. An important part of the festival is the 3rd edition of the Montenegro Film Rendezvous, an industry segment that developed from one year to another.
FNE: How did Black Trumpet originate and how was the experience of directing your first feature?
Bojan Stijović: The idea for the film was told to me by writer Stefan Bošković, and right from the very beginning I had a very good feeling about the project. The reason for that was that I was familiar with that world, and I also knew that Stefan was familiar with the subject matter he had written about. So, in a way, it felt natural, and to our mutual satisfaction, to embark together on the realisation of a project like this. From the very start, we had a very good energy between us, and later we simply continued to develop and improve on all of that.
When you direct a feature film for the first time, it is natural to experience a certain amount of nervousness. However, in my case, it was a positive kind of nervousness. Once I became thoroughly familiar with the screenplay, I started preparing seriously for the film, and I didn’t wasted time thinking about other things. Instead, I remained focused on what my job was: to direct the film. I began communicating with various collaborators on the film, working out on how the film should look, what kind of atmosphere and rhythm we wanted to create, how to work with the actors, and so on. Everything somehow progressed naturally, almost as if it wasn’t my first film. I think that was precisely because I immediately immersed myself in the work, which ultimately resulted in the completion of the film.
FNE: How important is it for you that the film is the only domestic production in the main competition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival – Montenegro Film Festival?
Bojan Stijović: It is a wonderful feeling to represent your country at a national festival such as the Herceg Novi Film Festival – Montenegro Film Festival, especially because you are competing with some very high-quality films from across the region, while at the same time being the only film from Montenegro in the competition. I believe that means a great deal to the entire film crew. In this way, we also receive more attention, and I certainly hope that the audience will respond to that and come in as large numbers as possible.
FNE: Did you take part in the previous two editions of the Montenegro Film Rendezvous? How important was it for your career?
Bojan Stijović: I have to admit that I had fairly ordinary expectations of the Rendezvous when I attended for the first time. I thought it was an event similar to many others I had been to, with some kind of industry programme for film professionals. However, what surprised me when I arrived at the Rendezvous was simply the level at which the event was organised.
I felt very comfortable there, which is not usually the case when I attend events in other places. There was so much high-quality content, so many interesting conversations, the work we did while presenting our films, and all the other events accompanying the Rendezvous. The entire event, organised by the Film Centre of Montenegro, was conducted at a very high level, and we felt comfortable both while working and during the activities that followed. So, for me, the Rendezvous meant a great deal. Afterwards I recommended to my colleagues that they should definitely apply and be part of every future Rendezvous, because I believe it is very important for Montenegro as a small film industry, especially because it brings together many film professionals from other countries, giving us a wonderful opportunity to exchange our experiences and knowledge.
FNE: You have made short fiction films, documentaries, and a feature film. Do you have a favourite format or genre?
Bojan Stijović: Although working on short films and documentaries is certainly interesting, in my case, the ultimate goal was always to make a feature film. It is the format I love the most, and ever since I was a child, I have simply been accustomed to enjoying feature films, both international and domestic films from the region. All of that had a strong influence on me, and now, when I think about the fact that I have actually managed to make a feature film, I have to admit that I am very happy about it. So, feature filmmaking is definitely what I am focused on, and it is what I intend to continue doing in the future.
FNE: What do you enjoy in filmmaking?
Bojan Stijović: What has always attracted me to film is precisely the way films are made. From my earliest childhood, when I watched the first films that fascinated me, I was always focused on one question: how is this world created? If there is a profession that can, perhaps more than any other, demonstrate the full extent of human creativity, then it is definitely the art of filmmaking. You are in a position to create your own authentic worlds. That has always fascinated me, and it is the key reason why I decided to devote my life to film.
I also see it, to some extent, as some kind of magic. For me, film is magic on celluloid: simply something that exists, even in an almost irrational way, yet contains an enormous power that can change and transform a person’s life, of course, for the better. All these values that I found in film were crucial in my decision to pursue filmmaking, and I believe this is an important thing in the life of every individual. When you find something you love and then make that your profession, you should have a truly fulfilling life. And I have to admit that this is exactly how I feel at this moment, especially after the release of Black Trumpet and its selections at festivals around the world.
FNE: Do you have a new project?
Bojan Stijović: While I was working on the postproduction of Black Trumpet, I suddenly felt a surge of creative energy, so to speak, and I started working on two ideas that fascinated me in very different ways. So, I essentially have two projects, which I was preparing to submit to the next call by the Film Centre and, of course, continue developing.
The first project is called Black Flamingo, and it is a psychological thriller inspired by the films of Brian De Palma. It is a particular genre that I have loved ever since I discovered Hitchcock’s work, and later De Palma and similar filmmakers. I have always been fascinated by the way they make films and by how strong and distinctive their voices are as directors.
The second film is something very important to me: an intimate, autobiographical story about my teenage years in my hometown of Berane, and about various events from that period that left a strong impression on me. It is a coming-of-age drama with a very strong emotional story. This is something I would like to make in my hometown, in a way of giving something back to the city where I was born, and paying tribute to all those things that were important to me during my childhood and formative years.
