04/05/2025
400 guests at the premiere of "King Tomislav" in Zagreb
The feature-documentary film King Tomislav premiered in front of 400 visitors at the Cinestar cinema in Zagreb. The film was shot over two years on locations around Sinj, Nin, Zagreb, Split and on the slopes of Velebit. The coronation of King Tomislav, the battle against the Bulgarians, the Hungarian incursions, life at court, Tomislav's diplomacy and the Split church councils were reconstructed. The documentary part of the film features the most important Croatian historians of the early Middle Ages, as well as historians from Great Britain and Germany.
The film's director and screenwriter is Dražen Klarić, the director of photography is Matej Pavelić, the music is Matej Meštrović, the narrator is actor Dragan Despot, while King Tomislav is played by Robert Bubalo from Široki Brijeg. Among the many guests at the premiere was the world-renowned artist Dimitrije Popović.
– The film forms a coherent whole of visually dynamic projection into the centuries-old past, with the narrative of historians who speak about King Tomislav and the circumstances that shaped his character and destiny into a special historical phenomenon. Robert Bubalo has suggestively embodied the king's character – the character of his face and movement on stage reflect the inner maturity and firmness of an exceptional personality in Croatian history. Matej Meštrović's music is ideally matched to the visual richness and dramaturgy of the film. Director Dražen Klarić has found the right balance between the imaginary and the documentary in impressive scenes of the landscape on the restless ground of Croatian history – said Dimitrije Popović.
*Photo: Luka Stanzl/Piksell