“Čudo Neviđeno” shines on the big screen once again

A1 Kinoteka marks the milestone of its 40th restored film.

In the ceremonial setting of the “Makavejev” Hall at the Yugoslav Film Archive, the digitally restored film “A Sight Unseen” (1984, Centar Film and Zeta Film), directed by Živko Nikolić, premiered as the milestone 40th title restored within the A1 Kinoteka project. Numerous artists attended the premiere, members of the original film crew, and representatives of the cultural scene and the media, who reflected on Živko Nikolić’s creative legacy and the importance of his body of work in the history of Yugoslav and Serbian cinema.

“The Yugoslav Film Archive is committed to ensuring that film heritage does not remain merely an archival memory, but is brought back to life before audiences—in the original quality of image and sound, exactly as the authors created it. Živko Nikolić’s A Sight Unseen is the fortieth film to be digitally restored within the A1 Kinoteka project, confirming the Archive’s enduring mission as Serbia’s State Audiovisual Archive and its dedication to preserving and reviving iconic works of national cinema for new generations of viewers. On this journey, we have found a serious partner who has supported us—the company A1 Serbia,” said Aleksandar Erdeljanović, Acting Director of the Yugoslav Film Archive.

Thanks to this project, restored classics from the Archive’s rich collection are once again being screened for both domestic and international audiences—at prestigious festivals and film events, as well as in film archives around the world.

“We are extremely proud of our cooperation with such a prestigious institution as the Yugoslav Film Archive. This project connects technology and culture in the most effective way—by preserving our shared heritage for future generations. This year, we also brought the magic of cinema to open-air screenings in Belgrade, Niš, and Kragujevac, with more than 40,000 visitors so far. For us at A1, this is yet another way to show that technology connects people,” said Judit Albers, CEO of A1 Serbia.

The film A Sight Unseen was directed by Živko Nikolić, one of the most virtuosic cinematic visionaries of our region—an author who blended poetic realism, humour, and philosophical depth, preserving the spirit and character of the local milieu while elevating the story to a universal level.

The film features an outstanding cast: Danilo Bata Stojković, Velimir Bata Živojinović, Dragan Nikolić, Petar Božović, Savina Geršak, Vesna Pećanac, Bogdan Diklić, Taško Načić, and many other legendary artists who defined the golden age of domestic cinema.

Set in the small fishing village of Dodoši on the shores of Lake Skadar, the story explores – through Nikolić’s distinctive directorial style – the boundary between reality and myth, comedy and tragedy, idealism and human weakness.

The digital restoration was carried out by the expert team of the Department for Digital Film Restoration of the Yugoslav Film Archive, which systematically works on the preservation and digital renewal of film heritage in line with the highest international standards.

The A1 Kinoteka project was launched in 2017 as a collaboration between the Yugoslav Film Archive and A1 Serbia, with the mission of digitally restoring the most valuable films of national cinema and presenting them to new generations in full image and sound quality.

Through the A1 Kinoteka project, 40 iconic film titles have been restored, including The Marathon Family, Who’s Singin’ Over There?, The Beauty of Vice, Petrija’s Wreath, Masters, Masters, National Class, Special Education, Indian Summer, Balkan Spy, Strangler vs. Strangler, The Collective Center, Ball on the Water, Virdžina, Taiwan Canasta, When I Am Dead and Gone, and many other works that form the foundations of national film art.

Screenings for the general public will take place on November 7 in the “Makavejev” Hall of the Yugoslav Film Archive at 1 Uzun Mirkova Street, at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, with free admission.

For all film enthusiasts who are unable to attend the cinema screenings in person, a live stream will be available on the Facebook pages of A1 Serbia and the Yugoslav Film Archive, starting at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.