(MENAFN- Newswire.com LLC) NEW YORK, November 16, 2018 (Newswire.com) - The Croatian National Tourist Board and other notable co-sponsors celebrated Croatian film, food and wine last night at a special event held at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The red carpet event celebrated the US Premier of "The Eighth Commissioner" (Original Title: "Osmi povjerenik"), Croatia's submission for a Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination for the 91st Academy Awards and was well-attended by people from the entertainment, television and sports industries, as well as travel & tourism experts and other notable influencers.
The reception, A Night of Croatian Film & Flavors, followed the official screening and featured Croatian foods, wines and entertainment. Guests, which included well-known Croatian and Croatian-American actors from Los Angeles and New York were in attendance, such as Goran Visnjic (of NBC's "Timeless"), Leona Paraminski, Miraj Grbić, Marija Omaljev and cinematographer Vanja Černjul (of "Crazy Rich Asians") and other entertainment and sports industry notables such as Pete Radovich, Alen Petkovic, Bobby Bosko Grubic, and the LA Lakers center Ivica Zubac - just to name a few, dined on Croatian dishes from the collaboration of two Croatian celebrity chefs, Hrvoje Zirojevic of Laganini Lounge bar & Fish house on Hvar and Braco Sanjin of Perivoj Restaurant in Split. This event was organized by AlkaFilm and presented with the generous support of the following organizations - Croatian National Tourist Board, American Cinematheque, HAVC / Croatian Audio-visual Center, Zagreb Tourist Board, Zagrebačka banka, the European Culture Club, Stina Vino, Grgich Hills Estate, and Grgić Vina.
Croatia's natural beauty and stunning architecture has long attracted television and filmmakers to its shores. Perhaps most notably was in 2011 when the HBO epic fantasy series "Game of Thrones" debuted and quickly became a blockbuster sensation and solidified Croatia on the radar for many fans and avid travellers seeking new adventures. It may be the medieval towns, architecture and natural beauty that has effortlessly serve as a natural backdrop for some of today's blockbuster films, but it's also the country's magnificent 3,625 miles of coastline dotted by more one thousand islands with world-class beaches, delicious cuisine and wine, history, culture and charming people that keeps the rest of us visiting time and time again. Whatever it may be, it is clear that Croatia has made and will continue to make its mark on not only the entertainment industry, securing its rightful place as a strong supporting role in numerous movies and television shows, but with travellers alike.
To date, Americans visiting Croatia continues to increase with 574,530 arrivals, or +23% and 1,581,236 overnights, or +18%, since January 2018. As the popularity of television shows and movies filmed on location in Croatia rise, these familiar sights seen in American living rooms will continue to inspire many to visit and experience it for themselves.
The movie, "the Eighth Commissioner", filmed on the islands of Brač, Hvar, Zlarin and capital city of Zagreb, is an endearing movie is about an arrogant and ambitious politician, Siniša Mesjak, played by Frano Maskovic , who is facing a pre-election scandal. Mesjak is sent away to the remote and fictional island of Trećić, the furthest inhabited island with no telephone or internet to communicate. As a government commissioner, he is tasked with organizing a local government unit in which the previous seven commissioners had failed. The island's inhabitants are older generations full of quirky characters who speak their own incomprehensible dialect and have their own way of governing. His only support to get this task accomplished is local contact, Tonino, played by Borko Peric . While trying to accomplish his task and return as quickly as possible to his life in Zagreb, the 8th Commissioner encounters a cast of characters such as Italian smugglers, an Aboriginal woman, a Ukrainian porno actress, played by Nadia Cvitanovic , a Bosnian criminal, and the 7th Commissioner - believed to have disappeared. Along this journey, there are things he never expected to discover, especially a few things about himself along the way. The movie is based on the best-selling Croatian novel by Renato Baretić.
HBO's epic fantasy "Game of Thrones" helped to put Dubrovnik and the rest of the country on the map for Americans, as the iconic walls of the Old City is the setting for King's Landing. Other big budget blockbusters continue to add to the country's rise, such as "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" which featured Dubrovnik as a Monaco-inspired casino planet, Canto Bight. "Robin Hood: Origins", considered to be the highest budgeted film to be shot in Croatia was filmed on location throughout Dubrovnik, was produced by Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio and starring Oscar-winner, Jamie Foxx, "50 Shades of Grey" heartthrob Jaime Dornan, Taron Egerton, and Eve Hewson. During the summer of 2018, "Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!", the sequel to the first blockbuster starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan debuted to global audiences showcasing Croatia's island of Vis to movie and travel enthusiasts all over the world.
Television and films have definitely made positive impacts on Croatian tourism as many are inspired from what they have seen on the screen, but it's the country's fascinating history, rich culture, award-winning food scene and vineyards, scenic hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and charming people that will keep people coming back year after year.
About Croatia
Stretching along the Adriatic Sea, just a stone's throw from Central Europe, Croatia is a country defined by a rich cultural legacy. Today, history perfectly combines with a youthful spirit and vibrant energy that prove irresistible to those seeking diversity. Breath-taking natural beauty, endless coastlines, diverse gastronomy, adventure, sports, and wellness can be enjoyed all year round. Whether exploring the old city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, island hopping around the famous Dalmatian islands of the Split archipelago – which includes Hvar, Brač, Vis, Šolta to name a few, truffle hunting in Istria, paragliding across the Plitvice Lakes, delving into Zagreb's streets and hidden passages, birdwatching in Kopački rit, partying the night away at Zrce beach in Novalja or taking time out with the family on Zlatni Rat beach, there truly is something for everyone in Croatia. For more information, visit: http://croatia.hr
CNTB US Media Contact:
Truc Nguyen
Croatian National Tourist Office - PR and Media Relations
/ +1.646.531.4848
MENAFN1611201800704191ID1097705900
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.