ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Festival was launched in 2005 on 100th anniversary of Slovenian cinematography in Ljutomer, where first Slovenian motion pictures were made by the hand of Dr. Karol Grossmann. Initiated by Film Practice Plan 9, Development Agency of Prlekija and with help of European Structural Fund, one of first international festivals, dedicated to genre cinema, was put on the map. It featured a selection of unconventional movies and brought to Ljutomer most of their authors, which was something quite uncommon for Slovenian conditions. This tradition was carried on successfully, program and accompanying activities were constantly upgraded and with time Grossmann became one of most interesting film events in this part of Europe. With indispensable addition of wine, the pride and joy of Prlekija, in the festival equation, completely new horizons of gastronomical pleasures were open to all our guests and visitors.

The main course, however, is unique film programme, dedicated to true movie buffs, enthusiasts without prejudice, and those prepared to venture outside conventional limits of good taste and moral codes. We still focus on fantastic, horrendous, fierce and cult movies, that reach beyond ordinary genre conventions. Our aim is to return danger and boldness into modern-day cinema, which in its mediocrity, political correctness and pathetic desire for mass appeal loses more and more of it's former reputation, influence, creativity and therefore a lot of its audience.

We also wish to stress the fact that genre film is by its exploitative nature just ideal for Slovenian movie scene, that is doomed to low-budget production due to geographical limitations. It succeeds in using viewer- and budget-friendly conventions to display visually and narratively attractive and accessible stories, with enough space for most subversive of authors to make all-time cult classics, which write movie history, but are hardly huge blockbusters, easily available at first video store around the corner. These movies are daring and dangerously creative, made against all odds by inspired individuals, usually rejected in their time, for they break and surpass aesthetical taboos and offer uneasy but necessary social self-reflection. This is why they are so important and should receive care, support and promotion, especially in small markets that easily fall prey to arthouse snobbishness or brainless commercialism.

Grossmann festival is dedicated to this silent, but much more dangerous and funny side of cinema, that pulls no punches, wallows in excess, political incorrectness and pushes the envelope over the hills and far away. But, in order to fully understand it, one must take time, enjoy the adrenalin-ridden ride and equip their most extreme sense of humour. And this is much easier with a glass of good wine...