Rijeka – the first Croatian feature film

Rijeka and the beginnings of film on the Kvarner coast

The history of film in the area of ​​today’s Croatia begins at the beginning of the 20th century, more precisely in 1909. Rijeka, then Fiume, was a city where different cultures, languages ​​and artistic influences met. It was in this vibrant Mediterranean environment that the first film projects that left their mark on regional cinema emerged. One of the earliest feature films shot in this area was Assalto alla Banca Popolare di Fiume, and the film is attributed to director Salvatore Spina. It was a short, black and white and silent film, which was the standard in early cinema at the time.

According to records, the film was shown in December 1909 in the Minerva cinema in Pula, and the plot of the film revolves around the robbery of the National Bank in Rijeka. Although very little material about the production itself has survived today, it is known that it was a project that attracted considerable audience attention at the time. It is precisely because of this title that Rijeka is often mentioned as one of the places where the first steps of feature film in the territory of today’s Croatia began.

 

City of cinema at the beginning of the 20th century

At the beginning of the last century, Rijeka had an exceptionally lively cinema scene. As early as 1909, there were as many as five cinemas operating in the city, which was an impressive number for the time. Film screenings were a popular social pastime, and new technologies attracted audiences eager for modern experiences.

Cinemas were not just places of entertainment. They also represented a window into the world – a space where citizens could see new stories, other cities and cultures that they had previously only known from newspapers or books.

 

Teatro Fenice – a symbol of the film age

A special place in Rijeka’s history is occupied by Teatro Fenice, opened in 1914. At the time of its opening, it was one of the largest cinemas in Croatia, with a capacity of around 2,000 visitors. Fenice was not just a cinema. It was a symbol of modern urban life and an architectural marvel of its time. This hall screened films that were then conquering European and world screens, and brought a piece of the big world to Rijeka audiences.

Unfortunately, Fenice was closed in 2010 and is currently awaiting renovation. However, in the city’s collective memory, it remains one of the key places in Rijeka’s cultural life.

 

Rijeka as a film set today

Although more than a century has passed since the first film experiments in Fiume, Rijeka continues to attract filmmakers. The industrial architecture of the port, the old town and the specific atmosphere are often used as sets in international productions. In recent years, the city has hosted the filming of various films and series. The Rijeka landscape has appeared in projects in which famous European and regional actors have participated. It is precisely this combination of history, industrial heritage and Mediterranean spirit that makes Rijeka an interesting film location.

Thus, Rijeka, from the first shots of a bank robbery in 1909 to today’s high-budget productions, remains an unavoidable and inspiring stop on the world film map.