SHORT SYNOPSIS:

Celebrated French musician Janko Nilović (83) with Montenegrin roots,

receives a groundbreaking invitation to hold his first concert in the land of
his ancestors. Despite global recognition (incl. a Grammy Award) and a long
life, Janko has never established any connection with Montenegro. This
challenge, therefore, deeply appeals to him, and Janko accepts the
challenge to go on stage again and perform the last concert in his storied
career.

Thus, this documentary unfolds as a poignant odyssey of Janko's journey

toward long-awaited acceptance by the country of his origin, following him
from Paris through Istanbul to Montenegro. While grappling with health
challenges after recovering from a severe cancer operation, Janko's
unwavering determination propels him on this transformative path.

As he searches for the deepest samples of his being, this retired virtuoso
confronts the looming danger of disappointment and the loss of everything
once cherished, including his own life.

This story underscores the power of music and the search for one's identity - while posing questions about the depth an artist will go to for the perfect
melody and Nilović's enduring quest to understand his heritage. His encounter with his ancestral land unveils profound lessons amid the risk of losing it all.
 MELINA POTA KOLJEVIĆ, screenwriter
Sundance author, Berlinale author, Cannes Atelier author

*Selected biographical data

2007. Co-screenwriter for the film “TRAP”, director Srdan Golubović. BERLINALE, Forum.
Official shortlisted among 9 best foreign films nominated for OSCAR 2008.

2013. Co-screenwriter for the film “CIRCLES, director Srdan Golubović.

Cannes Film Festival 2010, Atelier: screenwriter’s session, First award.
SUNDANCE, USA, International program 2013, Main prize.
BERLINALE, Forum 2013: Ecumenical Jury Prize.
FAJR FILM FESTIVAL, Tehran IRAN 2014, Main prize for screenplay.
Three first national prizes for the screenplay including the annual FIPRESCI Prize 2013.

2015. Member of the European Film Academy

Link to the previous work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JwQr1jJaao

*Full-length documentary film in the development phase The SAMPLE is her debut documentary film.
MORE STORY DETAILS

As a distinguished recipient of the prestigious Grammy Award, Janko Nilović stands out as a
composer, arranger, and producer with a repertoire of over 50 musical albums. Recently, he
unexpectedly gained renewed global attention through sampling by contemporary world music
icons such as Jay Z, Morcheeba, and Dr. Dre. However, despite the financial benefits of these
samples, Janko finds himself in a paradoxical situation: he harbors a certain aversion to the
superficial success achieved through these short recordings, containing only six musical beats
(the sampling rule), trivializing his vast musical wealth.

At the age of 83, he faces an alluring invitation to perform for the first time in Montenegro, the land
of his ancestors, hoping to receive the artistic recognition and acceptance that his talent and
success deserve. This opportunity presents a dual challenge as Janko seriously risks his fragile
health, seeking personal fulfillment and validation in a rural and underdeveloped transitional
European country, contrary to the money coming from the global music industry.

Yet, through this transformative journey (Pars-Istanbul-Montenegro), Janko is

unprepared for another unforeseen trivialization beyond his artistic aspirations.
Complications arise in Montenegro regarding neglected family property—a
dilapidated house belonging to Janko's father in a rural part of the Montenegrin
province on Lake Skadar. Upon arriving at his father's Montenegrin homeland, he faces
a cold reception from his relatives, fearing Janko's potential property claims (which
have, by legal and property circumstances, fallen to them). This results in Janko's
deep disappointment at the misunderstanding of his motives by those from whom he
expected only appreciation and respect (as material possessions in Montenegro hold
no interest for Janko). Finally, Janko regrets risking his health and life, dramatically
lamenting the decision to embark on this journey.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn on the day of the highly anticipated concert, as
Janko's health deteriorates, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the eagerly awaited
sold-out performance. The central question emerges: can Janko find the strength
and determination to step onto the stage and confront the profound purpose
behind his journey into the unknown?
 FILM DIRECTOR

Nikola Vukcevic (born 1974 in Titograd, Montenegro) is a Film director and university
professor of FTV directing and Head of dept. FILM AND MEDIA at the University of
Montenegro (UCG); National Delegate of the prestigious Assembly of Association of
European Film Directors - FERA, President of the Festival Council of Montenegro Int. Film
Festival, Member of the Film Committee of the Montenegrin Academy of Arts and Sciences,
and Ph.D. in Filmology.

In his capacity as a film director, he has realized about seventy projects:

two feature films: "A View from the Eiffel Tower" (2005) and "The Kids from the Marx
and Engels Street" (2014), shown at about thirty international film festivals (incl. national
Oscar candidate 2014),
his third feature film "OBRAZ" is in final postproduction, shown in Tallinn POFF Work in
progress international selection November 2023.
documentary TV series "People and Streets" (25 episodes),
about fifty promotional and corporative works,
about ten award-winning theatre performances...

For seven seasons he was the artistic director of the City Theater in Podgorica
(Montenegro's capital) and Vice President of the RTVCG Council 2014-17. He is a lecturer at
numerous international film directing workshops (Paris, Dubrovnik, Izmir, China, Porto...) and
a participant of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP Fulbright
Program) US Dept. of State (Washington, Los Angeles, New York).

Link to the previous work https://vimeo.com/vukcevic/obraztallinn?share=copy

*Full-length documentary film in the development phase The SAMPLE is his debut documentary film.
 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT, Nikola Vukcevic:

How to portray the magnitude of a figure globally acclaimed, laden with

accolades and a vast following, who, in later years, seeks validation from a
humble Montenegrin village?

How to introduce a hero, facing age and cancer, determined to orchestrate his
inaugural concert in the land of his forebears, potentially marking his swan song?

How to chart the odyssey of a man at life's twilight, voyaging through the lanes of
his youth en route to a concert, with Istanbul as an emblematic milestone?

How to address distant kinsfolk in a Montenegrin hamlet, convincing them that,

despite all, Janko lacks one crucial thing - a serene connection with his ancestry
and his father's homeland?

These are the profound questions at the heart of this documentary, endeavoring
to offer an emotionally charged response about a remarkable man willing to
wager the remainder of his life for a sliver of serenity, a pursuit that remains
*Full-length documentary film in the development phase elusive to most, and perhaps even to Janko himself.
One of the very first songs sung by a famous French-Turkish artist
Dario Moreno was written and composed by Janko Nilović.

Upon Dario’s return to Turkey, the song "Her Akşam (Votka, Rakı ve
Şarap)" became a huge hit, prompting other musicians to create
other versions and remixes inspired by it.

Dario Moreno - Her Akşam (Votka, Rakı ve Şarap)

Original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np8_c8H9-pg

Acoustic version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM2kONULd88

French version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXIRM-OhrA

Gokce Kilincer cover:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugXBfiX0yo

Tanju Okan cover:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp_PfuT15v0

Rock cover:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk4KC_qjddQ

Vocal cover:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVolARJ3Eco

Speedup for tik tok:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PD9pDMDTU4
How far and deep is one man willing to go,
searching for himself?
How much does a personal experience of family relationships - form the future artist?
What is the ultimate sample of oneself?
Co-production:
Galileo production doo Montenegro
Cinnamon Beograd
Arthouse blockbusters Bulgaria

Producers:
Milorad Radenović, Nevena Savić,
Ivica Vidanović, Boris Despodov, Nikola Vukčević
Galileo production doo is an independent film and TV production since 2003. The main activity is an independent initiative in film and
video production of documentaries and feature films, commercials, music videos, and all kinds of video works.
From the film production point of view, we produced:

• three full-length feature films, in majority production:

- OBRAZ, in the post-production phase (Tallin POFF 2023 Work in progress selection)
- The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street - 2014 (Montenegrin Oscar entry 2014)
- A View from the Eiffel Tower - (2005), as the first Montenegrin independent feature film

• two international co-productions of feature films:

- You Carry Me (Red. Ivona Juka, HRV-SRB-CG 2015),
- BALKAN NOIR (dir. Dražen Kuljanin, SWE-CG 2017).

• over 50 commissioned films (promotional films, commercials, music videos), of which a significant number are in the domain of Arts
as social change. As of January 2020, we are the holders of a two-year EU project: 6 documentaries of this genre, worth 240,000
euros (2020-22).
A story based on a rethinking of the importance of belonging, about a man
who seeks the best part of himself - in a short-term return to the land of his
ancestors.

From fiddles, to classical music, to Dr Dre, Jay Z and the band Morcheeba.
From the review of the Film Center of
Montenegro, on the occasion of awarding a grant
for the development of the project:

Documentary film about Janko Nilović, a world-

renowned composer of Montenegrin origin, is a
project with a thoroughly elaborated explication,
detailed treatment and clearly described thematic
focus and conceptual basis.
Through the project, the author reflects on several
conceptual points, among which are the need for
belonging and the analysis of the inability of a small
environment to recognize quality art in a timely
manner. What is very important from the perspective
of the international placement of the film is the fact
that it is an artist whose creativity is recognized and
valued around the world.
LONG SYNOPSIS

Janko Nilović (83) is the winner of the prestigious Grammy Award (20101), a world-renowned and recognized French composer of Montenegrin roots, arranger, pianist, and
music producer who collaborated with some of the most important popular authors today (Jay Z, Dr Dre, Morcheeba...). His undoubted worldwide recognition is based on
the research of the Balkan musical motifs and the Slavic musical heritage. Although he has 50 albums behind him, over 80 official covers of his work and performances all
over the world (including the Balkan countries), although Nilović always adds "Montenegro" to his name - he has never been professionally engaged in Montenegro.

Although he slowly recovered from Cancer, after serious hospital treatment - he could not refuse a sudden invitation to cooperate from Montenegro, because his desire is
stronger than his fear of deteriorating health. On the other hand, the call from Montenegro is a real family drama for the Nilović family in Paris, but nothing can stop the
eighty-year-old Janko from meeting his roots and accepting cooperation in Montenegro.

On the way to Montenegro, Nilović will make a two-day break in Istanbul (the city where he was born and where he left a serious musical mark), will visit the places of his
youth and will remember his earliest years in Turkey, where his father was an employee of the French embassy, and who introduced him to the musical heritage of the
Balkans in his earliest childhood (in addition to the classical music education he received first in Istanbul and then in Ankara). During a two-day visit to Istanbul, Nilović will
visit the iconic places of this city in the 60s and 70s, remembering his youth and the success he achieved at that time with Dario Moreno, for whom he made one of the
biggest Turkish hits of all time.
During a walk in Istanbul, Nilović will explain to us his re-discovery of the music of the Balkans in the 1970s, which will remind him of his father, who disappeared from
Janko's life early on, through a complex of vulnerable circumstances of Balkan tragedies. Although this documentary project will contain a biographical segment (and
present the details of the collaboration with Dr Dre, Jay Z, Dario Moreno, and the Soul Surfers), the film is actually a story about how the deep connection that Nilović has
with his roots cannot be stopped even with a final end, which threatens him from illness. Is Nilović, in his search for the perfect Balkan melody actually searching for his
father and his identity all his life? Is he reliving and building a missing part of himself with each of his new Balkan melodic lines?

The moment he arrives in Montenegro, as a complete stranger and an unknown musician, Janko and I will visit a number of places that are personally meaningful to him,
organize a meeting with the composer Vladimir Maraš and a number of successful Montenegrin musicians who will share the stage with Nilović, and by telling this
prominent creator’s story show why (and how) the love for the land of one’s ancestors is so strong, following along the paths determined by person who articulates and
creates his sense of self through music, in hope to discover why the recognition from the land of his ancestors is so important to such a world great. By visiting the village
of Livari, the village of Janko's late father, Nilović will discover the depths of the motives of his creativity, but also re-examine the old family wounds of this great creator,
further explore the matter of childhood trauma that lead to the purification of his art, while simultaneously posing a question of whether it is the creator that shapes his
own memory or if it is the experience that forms a future artist. Upon arriving at his father's Montenegrin homeland, he faces a cold reception from his relatives, fearing
Janko's potential property claims (which have, by legal and property circumstances, fallen to them). This results in Janko's deep disappointment at the misunderstanding
of his motives by those from whom he expected only appreciation and respect (as material possessions in Montenegro hold no interest for Janko). Finally, Janko regrets
risking his health and life, dramatically lamenting the decision to embark on this journey.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn on the day of the highly anticipated concert, as Janko's health deteriorates, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the eagerly awaited
sold-out performance. The central question emerges: can Janko find the strength and determination to step onto the stage and confront the profound purpose behind his
journey into the unknown?
How far and deep is one man willing to go, searching for himself?
The SAMPLE, a full-length documentary film in the development phase, under the auspices of the Film Centre of Montenegro,
production Galileo production doo Montenegro, co-production: Cinnamon films Serbia & Arthouse blockbusters Bulgaria
www.galileoproduction.com