Emir Kusturica to have old railway station in Herceg Novi rehabilitated - Kusturica's filming school

At the Škver, at the very coast near port of Herceg Novi, on the location where it was built in 1902, the building of the old railway station is white and shiny again. Characteristic architecture, fit in coastal ambient by means of stone, is rehabilitated by its new owner, director Emir Kusturica, whose father is from Herceg Novi.

The initial old building was built by Austria-Hungarian masons in the time of Franc Joseph, as well as Sarajevo – Nikšić railroad, one branch of which led to Dubrovnik, whereas the second led to Herceg-Novi, i.e. Zelenika. Railroad was closed in 1968 because it was not remunerable. The inhabitants of Boka are still nostalgic when this railroad is mentioned. Besides the old building, there are also one wagon in Igalo and two little bridges in Meljine and Zelenika, where railroad tracks used to lie, left to remind of that railroad.

Construction works on the building of railway station, of which rehabilitation started two winters ago, have been completed recently. Also, carpentry has been installed. Emir Kusturica, as he alone announced in September 2004, plans to open it during 2005, most probably during the summer season. Everything concerning this building is secret since no one want to speak anything about the works, their completion, opening and the details.

It is for certain that this building resembles the old one a lot. The building of old railway station, as it was announced earlier, should come to life as Kusturica's filming school. On about 1,000 square meters of indoor space, organization of cinema, place for movie archive, hall for seminars and courses that are going to be held by Hollywood stars and other filming, directing and acting schools, are in the pipeline. There will be restaurant on the ground floor.

Concerning the fame Kusturica has in the world of film, it is expected that this will be cult place in Herceg-Novi and all Montenegrin seaside. Additional reason for the fact that famous director decided to open his filming school in Herceg-Novi is, as he alone once announced, that he feels as citizens of Herceg Novi.