Petra ANTOLIĆ
Photos: Majestic Film
The secret is finally out and the stars are aligning in the west of Melbourne for what promises to become a truly cultural landmark. What’s more, it will play a significant role in telling Croatian stories. After all the anticipation, we have arrived at that thrilling moment to announce the opening of a picturesque new sanctuary for creatives and arts enthusiasts alike. With great excitement, we introduce to you the Arts Villa complex and the ground-breaking arts initiative that has been brought to life by Majestic Film and Entertainment in collaboration with Billich Gallery.
Celebrated Australian Croatian international writer, director, producer and music and arts promoter Steve Ravić and team have collaborated with socialite Christa Billich and world-famous Croatian Australian artist Charles Billich to open a joint venture aimed at becoming a haven for the arts. Steve Ravić masterminded the concept spearheading the operation in collaboration with Vesna Trokter, Ante Ravić, and the Billiches. At the heart of the remarkable venue is the centrepiece attraction, a captivating Billich Museum and Gallery, where art lovers can immerse themselves in a diverse collection of works by the world’s most celebrated living surrealist and arts legend Charles Billich. The collection of work includes a variety of classic pieces that represent significant places and events throughout recent history. This is especially relevant to the Croatian story featuring art that represents the genocide of Croatians by Tito’s communist Yugoslavia. Billich tells the story through his eyes as a witness of the brutal mass killings. Telling the truth about the sufferings of the Croatian people is the collective goal of both Billich the artist and Ravić the storyteller.
Billich recently stated in an interview with the Večernji List that “Steve Ravić is like my subconscious. He understands me more than I can analyse myself. And he’s got great trust in my ultimate success both as an artist and a survivor of communism. We enjoy a great deal of synchronicity and communication which makes life easier because we don’t have to start from scratch every time we undertake a project”.
Ravić explains “We are on a united mission to tell the world our story. The true story of the Croatian people and our struggles for freedom and independence. The true story behind the mass genocide and the forced displacement of our people by the Yugoslav communists. Billich was an eyewitness of the genocide and I participated in the defence of Croatian sovereignty during the homeland in the nineties. We both experienced the wrath of Yugoslav tyrants and we both have an emotional attachment to this story. Our arts complex with serve as a platform to tell the Croatian story”.
Steve Ravić on the mic addressing guests.
In addition to the plethora of historic and classic art, the mastery of Billich’s creativeness will be merged with futuristic elements to create one of a kind immersive content that will be spearheaded by Ante Ravić and his team. Artwork by Billich is also available for purchase including originals, mixed media and limited-edition prints. These authentic works by Billich are available in Victoria exclusively through the Billich Museum and Gallery.
Vesna Trokter states: “I believe every Croatian home should own a Billich and the Billich Museum and Gallery offers authentic official art and is the only place to purchase genuine Billich art in Victoria. I invite Croatians to visit us and enjoy the Billich experience”.
Moira Deeming, Charles Billich and Maria Kerr
This unique establishment also features the dynamic studios of Majestic Film, with a modest cutting-edge space designed for film and television sets in addition to post-production suites that include facilities to create immersive and gaming projects. Majestic Film provides an avenue for international collaborations and the studio’s productions have been distributed by major companies around the world such as Warner, Universal, SONY and ITN.
Majestic Film is also represented internationally at the biggest international film industry event and the projects are screened and exhibited officially at the Cannes Film Festival market in France annually where Majestic Film host their very own stand inside of the prestigious Palais des festivals. Film industry professionals can meet with the team at stand 23.08 Palais -1 adjacent to the main café where visitors can also express their interest in collaborations, co-productions or commissioning the services of Majestic Film or hiring the facilities at the Arts Villa in Australia.
Ana Ravić, Charles Billich, Moira Deeming, Steve Ravić, Maria Kerr and Andrew Deeming
Last year at Cannes, Steve Ravić decided to promote Croatian content films. In recent years, he has spoken and conferences and seminars among Croatian leaders expressing the need to promote Croatian stories to the world. However, when he heard that the team at Cannes representing Croatia at Cannes was going to be promoting a Yugoslav orientated short film, he decided to dedicate half of his stand to promoting Croatian content film and sponsored Branko Perić to promote his historic Croatian content films at Cannes.
Ravić says “There was no essence of Croatian culture at Cannes let alone content. The Croatian flag was not even visible and the pavilion was shared with other south-eastern European Republics. I felt a responsibility to use my influence in the industry to at least promote Croatians that are producing Croatian content film and the studio at our arts complex in Bonnie Brook will also help facilitate those goals. Our most important project at the moment is the biopic movie of Charles Billich’s life story to be called “My Way”. We did a documentary and we will soon release a second documentary, but the Billich biopic is our most important project where we will be needing backing from the community. We will also be helping Branko Perić complete Diva at our studios which will be premiered at Cannes through Majestic Film”.
AFL legend Robert DiPierdomenico and Steve Ravić
The Arts Villa promises to be a thriving hub that will continue in the great traditions of the Billich Gallery and Majestic Film and Entertainment igniting a flair of creativity and the fostering of innovation. Although the competitive world of AI has discouraged and isolated many creators, this initiative has been established to encourage organic creativity and offer a platform for that special individualistic human touch. This exciting arts initiative is poised to create an abundance of opportunities for both seasoned artists and aspiring talents to connect, collaborate and network in an inspiring environment where they can showcase concepts and projects, attend workshops or simply be part of a vibrant community. The Arts Villa will also play host to networking events for Croatian talents. Keep posted to the social media pages for announcements. The complex will also host buoyant and stylish events with a rock edge in the grandiose style synonymous to both the Billich and Ravić traditions. The complex will also be made available to hire for opulent private functions and will also be home to a television variety show. The opening had delays due to an ongoing dispute with Telstra which has since been rectified.
Ravić explains “We were unfortunately delayed due to negligence by Telstra who left a dangerous open pit inside of the property at the front entrance of the main building. They failed to make any effort to have it safely sealed for years despite my constant appeals. This frustratingly caused a major delay to our plans to have the arts hub opened earlier in 2024 as originally planned. It also slowed down our entire film production operation which could not relocate as planned in 2022. Telstra showed no sense of urgency nor was there any care factor. I repeatedly reminded them of the urgency. It was so disappointing considering the magnitude of the project and what it meant for the arts community. I continued to push and kept pushing until they eventually did what should have been done when we first purchased the property. Since then, we have gone full force to ensure that our complex is ready and operational. The delay cost us majorly but it also cost the community an opportunity to be involved in a very significant initiative sooner, which would have been beneficial for the arts considering the times that we live in”.
Steve Ravić, Moira Deeming and Maria Kerr
Billich remarks “This will be sensational for the arts. This is my fifth generation of being alive (Billich is ninety years of age) and we live in a very unorthodox milieu where human faculties are being taken over by artificial intelligence. We have a lost belief in our superiority. We have a lost faith in our ability. I say there’s no machine, there’s no device, there is no technology that can actually be superior to the agility, the flexibility and the capacity of a brain. We are wrong to believe that artificial intelligence can surpass us. We have given up in the face of something that’s artificial. What we see at the moment is the desire of teenagers and children even, to demonstrate that we are humans and we can be on top of the artistic equation. That should be first and foremost on our bucket list, how to beat AI and re-establish the vigour and the respectability of human creativity. Let us have exhibitions of emerging artists. Our artistic hub in Melbourne is going to be a home, a refuge, an exposure and not a hiding place for new talent”.
Ravić concludes: “Despite the fact that we now live in these unconventional times that can be bewildering for artists, we intend to provide hope by nurturing human ability and relentlessly persisting to maintain a superiority in the arts that is driven by passion, emotions and conviction that is unique to each individual. Let it be known, here it is! And here we are! In unison, ready to rock the west and rock the world. Charge your glass for the good times ahead and a big salute to the opening of our arts domain”.
Stay tuned to the social media pages for more thrilling updates and essential details as the team embarks on this incredible artistic journey which you can be a part of! To express interest in being involved, be put on the mailing list for events, book an appointment for a private tour, enquires about venue hire or to find out more, please e-mail info@majesticfilm.com. Alternatively, you can SMS or call us on +61 451 499 013.
www.majesticfilm.com
https://www.facebook.com/SteveRavic
https://www.facebook.com/MajesticFilm
www.youtube.com/majesticfilm
Arts Villa: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570981901735
Billich Museum and Gallery: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569792788028