Avala film sold at RSD 980 m

"Avala film" has been sold today to "Filmski put" from Belgrade for RSD 980 m.

The biggest movie studio in former Yugoslavia, "Avala film", has been in bankruptcy for years and "Filmski put" as the only participant at the auction.

In front of the Agency for privatization where the auction has been held today, 50 film workers gathered, dissatisfied for the sale of "Avala film", and students of art faculties held performance.

Movie artists and fans have been running a campaign against sale for days. The Agency outlines the decision is not up to them because like a trustee in bankruptcy they only conduct law. Jugoslovenska kinoteka asked from the Trade court to leave out from sale at least for some time a movie fund- some 600 movies shot over the decades at Avala film studios.

The court refused it and the Ministry of Culture of Serbia announced that the decision is surprising. The Ministry also announced the company took all the necessary steps within its responsibility in order to protect cultural property in the process of sale of "Avala film".

Minister Tasovac, said for N1, that "Serbian Hollywood has not been operating since 1989", as well as that the difference must be made between privatization and bankruptcy procedure.

Tasovac said he is sorry for the fact that Kinoteka did not take steps earlier to announce the fund a cultural heritage but that he is not looking for someone to blame but a solution. We should wait to see if the auction will succeed. Maybe a buyer wants to continue movie activity, he concluded. Young movie representatives initiated over the past days campaign called "City of lost movies".