Directing duo Dušan Zorić and Matija Gluščević make their feature debut with “Have You Seen This Woman?,” which has its world premiere Sept. 8 during the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week. Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer.
Divided into three chapters, “Have You Seen This Woman?” presents three acts that follow three different lives of a middle-aged woman of the same name. In the heat of a summer day, Draginja discovers a dead body that resembles her. Elsewhere, another hires a fake husband to show off in front of her friends. Finally, on a cold winter night, a third Draginja roams the streets hoping to recover her lost memory. Through three different life possibilities, each tries to get out of her skin in her own way.
The film is produced by Čarna Vučinić for Non-Aligned Films in co-production with Tena Gojić for Dinaridi Films. It features Ksenija Marinković in the lead role,...
Divided into three chapters, “Have You Seen This Woman?” presents three acts that follow three different lives of a middle-aged woman of the same name. In the heat of a summer day, Draginja discovers a dead body that resembles her. Elsewhere, another hires a fake husband to show off in front of her friends. Finally, on a cold winter night, a third Draginja roams the streets hoping to recover her lost memory. Through three different life possibilities, each tries to get out of her skin in her own way.
The film is produced by Čarna Vučinić for Non-Aligned Films in co-production with Tena Gojić for Dinaridi Films. It features Ksenija Marinković in the lead role,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The long shadow of the war and its ravages continue to haunt a group of late middle-aged Sarajevan friends in the low-budget, tonally uneven dramedy “May Labor Day” from Bosnian multi-hyphenate Pjer Žalica. Although the material is both a little thin and a tad familiar, the script ticks off a range of contemporary social problems and issues such as the brain drain to Europe of the educated younger generation, junkie no-hopers who get clean through faith, the orphan kids kept off the street through charitable ventures and the nagging dissatisfaction felt by the ordinary men who fought for their country, but feel that it has lost its way.
Serving as the closing night attraction of this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, “May Labor Day” is a co-production of all the territories of former Yugoslavia and features an ensemble of the region’s best-known actors, who appear to take great pleasure in performing together.
Serving as the closing night attraction of this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, “May Labor Day” is a co-production of all the territories of former Yugoslavia and features an ensemble of the region’s best-known actors, who appear to take great pleasure in performing together.
- 8/19/2022
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: New York-based distributor Dekanalog has added two foreign-language titels to its slate.
In November, the company will release Mother, I Am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You, Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s Mosotho drama that screened at Berlin, Sheffield, and MoMA Doc Fortnight. The U.S. sales deal was struck with Memento Films. Dekanalog previously released director Mosese’s This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection earlier this year.
The distributor has also picked up Father, the Berlin Panorama Audience Award Winner from Srdan Golubovic. The pic won the International Narrative Award at Calgary and also screened at Thessaloniki, Transylvania, and Seattle. Set in a a small town in Serbia, the movie stars Goran Bogdan and Boris Isakovic. The U.S. deal was struck with The Match Factory.
Dekanalog has now been operating for a year, its recent theatrical release was Mariam Ghani’s Afghan documentary What We Left Unfinished.
In November, the company will release Mother, I Am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You, Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s Mosotho drama that screened at Berlin, Sheffield, and MoMA Doc Fortnight. The U.S. sales deal was struck with Memento Films. Dekanalog previously released director Mosese’s This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection earlier this year.
The distributor has also picked up Father, the Berlin Panorama Audience Award Winner from Srdan Golubovic. The pic won the International Narrative Award at Calgary and also screened at Thessaloniki, Transylvania, and Seattle. Set in a a small town in Serbia, the movie stars Goran Bogdan and Boris Isakovic. The U.S. deal was struck with The Match Factory.
Dekanalog has now been operating for a year, its recent theatrical release was Mariam Ghani’s Afghan documentary What We Left Unfinished.
- 9/2/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Some stories don’t leave room for a hero even if they provide ample opportunity for one to enter. And when it comes to the 1995 Bosnian genocide that occurred in the town of Srebrenica at the hands of the Serbian army, there’s hardly room for hope let alone saviors. With over eight thousand men murdered while the Un and the world looked on, what is truly left but mourning and memorial? What is there to say besides the truth of its horrors so that those who were blind and/or ignorant to these people’s plight can begin to understand? That’s ultimately writer/director Jasmila Zbanic’s goal with Quo vadis, Aida? as someone who knows all too well having survived a siege on Sarajevo. Mankind cannot afford to forget.
The star of this film is therefore desperation and the actions taken when under its power. How far...
The star of this film is therefore desperation and the actions taken when under its power. How far...
- 3/11/2021
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Teacher-turned-indispensable-interpreter, Aida (Jasna Djuricic), runs around a crowded United Nations base relaying messages amid a humanitarian crisis on the brink of devolving into an unspeakable catastrophe. More importantly, she is a mother vehemently trying to wield whatever little influence she has to ensure her sons and husband survive, in Jasmila Zbanic’s “Quo Vadis, Aida?”
The historical backdrop is July 1995 in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica just after the Serb army seized it, but right before they proceeded to carry out a highly premeditated genocide against the locals under the orders of General Mladic (Boris Isakovic)—depicted here as a villain trying, but failing, to wear the cloak of diplomacy to hide the cruelest of intentions.
Continue reading ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’: Jasmila Zbanic’s Bosnian Drama Is A High Wire Act Of Immense Tension & Devastating Humanism [Review] at The Playlist.
The historical backdrop is July 1995 in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica just after the Serb army seized it, but right before they proceeded to carry out a highly premeditated genocide against the locals under the orders of General Mladic (Boris Isakovic)—depicted here as a villain trying, but failing, to wear the cloak of diplomacy to hide the cruelest of intentions.
Continue reading ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’: Jasmila Zbanic’s Bosnian Drama Is A High Wire Act Of Immense Tension & Devastating Humanism [Review] at The Playlist.
- 3/10/2021
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Playlist
Quo Vadis, Aida? Neon Super Ltd. Reviewed for Shockya.com & BigAppleReviews.net linked from Rotten Tomatoes by: Harvey Karten Director: Jasmila Zbanic Writer: Jasmila Zbanic Cast: Jasna Djricic, Izudin Bajrovic, Boris Isakovic, Johan Heldenberg Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 2/16/21 Opens: March 5, 2021 at Angelica Theatre in NY. VOD March 15, 2021 I recall in […]
The post Quo Vadis, Aida? Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Quo Vadis, Aida? Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 3/3/2021
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
The interplay between desperation and determination forms the backbone of this Serbian drama from Srdan Golubovic, which sees father-of-two Nikola (Goran Bogdan) pushed to the edge in a bid to get back his children. Although much more serious in tone, the backdrop recalls Bojan Vuletic's Requiem For Mrs J in its searing view of Serbian bureaucracy and it also shares a trigger with that film, the inability to acquire severance pay that is owed, which prompts Nikola's wife Biljana (Nada Sargin) to threaten to immolate herself and her children in the film's opening moments.
Nikola, who is doing day work in a forest, is unaware of what is occurring until he finds himself at the department of children's services being told by the chief that his kids are in care until further notice and, most certainly, until after he has acquired electric and other amenities for his...
Nikola, who is doing day work in a forest, is unaware of what is occurring until he finds himself at the department of children's services being told by the chief that his kids are in care until further notice and, most certainly, until after he has acquired electric and other amenities for his...
- 2/18/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
While the Academy has not yet released the full official list, these are the films Variety has learned have been submitted by various countries in the international film race. The shortlist will be announced Feb. 9 and the nominations on March 15. The Academy Awards ceremony takes place on April 25.
Albania Open Door
Director: Florenc Papas
Key Cast: Luli Bitri, Jonida Vokshi, Gulielm Radoja
Logline: Pregnant woman and her sister try to find a man to pretend to be the mom-to-be’s husband before visiting their traditional father.
Prodco: Bunker Film Plus
Algeria Héliopolis
Director: Djaâfar Gacem
Key cast: Souhila Mallem, Mehdi
Ramdani, Cesar Duminil
Logline: Algerians fight for independence punctuated by the 1945 massacre in the ancient city of Héliopolis.
Prodco: Centre Algérien de Développement du Cinéma
Argentina The Sleepwalkers
Director: Paula Hernández
Key Cast: Érica Rivas, Ornella D’elía, Marilu Marini, Daniel Hendler
Logline: A family drama encompasses the sexual awakening...
Albania Open Door
Director: Florenc Papas
Key Cast: Luli Bitri, Jonida Vokshi, Gulielm Radoja
Logline: Pregnant woman and her sister try to find a man to pretend to be the mom-to-be’s husband before visiting their traditional father.
Prodco: Bunker Film Plus
Algeria Héliopolis
Director: Djaâfar Gacem
Key cast: Souhila Mallem, Mehdi
Ramdani, Cesar Duminil
Logline: Algerians fight for independence punctuated by the 1945 massacre in the ancient city of Héliopolis.
Prodco: Centre Algérien de Développement du Cinéma
Argentina The Sleepwalkers
Director: Paula Hernández
Key Cast: Érica Rivas, Ornella D’elía, Marilu Marini, Daniel Hendler
Logline: A family drama encompasses the sexual awakening...
- 12/23/2020
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
(Major spoilers ahead, obviously, for the ending of “Last Christmas”)
“Last Christmas” kinda looks like a pretty standard romantic comedy, but I assure you it isn’t. And you should have known better anyway — it’s not as though director Paul Feig is known for making standard romantic comedies. He’s not. At all.
But best of all, it’s a movie that I’ve discovered I enjoy during any season, not just around the holidays. I’ve found it weirdly comforting to watch during quarantine.
Obviously, I really enjoyed “Last Christmas.” So I’m not writing this as a way of mocking this movie. The twist we’re about to discuss is really wild mostly just because it defies your expectations about what a romantic comedy is and because most folks aren’t going to be coming into this thing expecting any kind of major twist. But, to me,...
“Last Christmas” kinda looks like a pretty standard romantic comedy, but I assure you it isn’t. And you should have known better anyway — it’s not as though director Paul Feig is known for making standard romantic comedies. He’s not. At all.
But best of all, it’s a movie that I’ve discovered I enjoy during any season, not just around the holidays. I’ve found it weirdly comforting to watch during quarantine.
Obviously, I really enjoyed “Last Christmas.” So I’m not writing this as a way of mocking this movie. The twist we’re about to discuss is really wild mostly just because it defies your expectations about what a romantic comedy is and because most folks aren’t going to be coming into this thing expecting any kind of major twist. But, to me,...
- 7/28/2020
- by Phil Owen
- The Wrap
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Boris Isakovic, Emma Thompson, Maxim Baldry, Michelle Yeoh, Bilal Zafar, Patti LuPone, Lydia Leonard, Rob Delaney, Peter Serafinowicz | Written by Greg Wise, Emma Thompson, Bryony Kimmings | Directed by Paul Feig
Last Christmas doesn’t just leave you asking what went wrong, it leaves you asking what went really, really, really wrong. With Paul Feig as the director, Emma Thompson as the writer and Emilia Clarke as the lead it had everything it needed to be a Christmas classic. In the end it’s another classic disaster.
The plot, as little as there is, tells us the story of Kate, played by Emilia Clarke. Kate is a young woman stuck in a rut of bad decisions, who works as one of Santa’s elves for a department store. When she meets Tom (Henry Golding) her life takes a new turn and she finds a new lease of life.
Last Christmas doesn’t just leave you asking what went wrong, it leaves you asking what went really, really, really wrong. With Paul Feig as the director, Emma Thompson as the writer and Emilia Clarke as the lead it had everything it needed to be a Christmas classic. In the end it’s another classic disaster.
The plot, as little as there is, tells us the story of Kate, played by Emilia Clarke. Kate is a young woman stuck in a rut of bad decisions, who works as one of Santa’s elves for a department store. When she meets Tom (Henry Golding) her life takes a new turn and she finds a new lease of life.
- 11/26/2019
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
Director Paul Feig's "Last Christmas" is for romance junkies. Packed with frothy soppiness, it is a rehash of the clumsiest-meets-cute formula.
Set in the backdrop of Christmas in London, it tells us the story of Kate (Emilia Clarke), a 26-year-old Yugoslavian settled in the UK. She is endearing but clumsy to the core. She wants to be a professional singer, but works in a store selling Christmas decorations because that's the only job she manages to cling on to.
Despite having a family, she prefers to be homeless because her concerned, neurotic mother has literally driven her entire family away.
In this chaotic life of hers, she meets, the handsome and charming Tom Webster (Henry Golding), who is annoyingly mysterious, understanding and constantly giving her unsolicited life lessons. How she gradually falls ? hook, line and sinker ? for him, forms the crux of the narrative.
Written by Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings,...
Set in the backdrop of Christmas in London, it tells us the story of Kate (Emilia Clarke), a 26-year-old Yugoslavian settled in the UK. She is endearing but clumsy to the core. She wants to be a professional singer, but works in a store selling Christmas decorations because that's the only job she manages to cling on to.
Despite having a family, she prefers to be homeless because her concerned, neurotic mother has literally driven her entire family away.
In this chaotic life of hers, she meets, the handsome and charming Tom Webster (Henry Golding), who is annoyingly mysterious, understanding and constantly giving her unsolicited life lessons. How she gradually falls ? hook, line and sinker ? for him, forms the crux of the narrative.
Written by Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings,...
- 11/7/2019
- GlamSham
Kate (Emilia Clarke) is in a rut. Long ago, as a girl growing up in Yugoslavia circa 1999, she was a songbird who could turn George Michael’s “Heal the Pain” into a transcendental choral experience. Decades later, she’s a young woman who drinks away her pain in London’s pubs and manages to alienate her most loyal friends. Don’t get her started about her family: Dad (Boris Isakovic) was a former lawyer who now drives a cab; Mom (co-writer Emma Thompson) browbeats everyone; her sister (Lydia Leonard) isn’t speaking to her.
- 11/6/2019
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Ever since the very first Trailer for Last Christmas was released, something felt…off. The story shown just seemed to be hiding a little bit of information. This led to subsequent analysis and over analysis of the little bit of footage, leading to wild theories about what could be happening within this holiday season romantic tale. Well, now that I’ve seen it and the embargo has lifted, I can report that while there is a degree of accuracy to some theories, it’s also a disservice to an otherwise fairly serviceable film. In fact, the plot itself probably would have been better off keeping things simple. At least there’s George Michael music throughout the flick, right? Alas, it’s not nearly enough. The movie is a romantic holiday story, following a troubled young woman. For Kate (Emilia Clarke), bad choices are a way of life, only compounded by...
- 11/6/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Post Yugoslav War drama is Alen Drljevic’s debut feature.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has submitted Alen Drljevic’s Men Don’t Cry into contention for this year’s best foreign language film Academy Award.
The film premiered at Karlovy Vary - where Picture Tree International boarded international rights - and played at Sarajevo Film Festival this week where it won the Youth Audience Award.
It also won the Special Jury Award and Europa Cinema Award in Karlovy Vary.
Director Drljevic’s debut feature counts an all-star Balkan cast including Leon Lucev, Boris Isakovic and Emir Hadzihafizbegovic.
The film, set two decades after the war ended in Yugoslavia, follows a diverse group of veterans who gather at a remote mountain hotel to undergo group therapy.
Watch the Men Don’t Cry trailer below or on mobile Here.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has submitted Alen Drljevic’s Men Don’t Cry into contention for this year’s best foreign language film Academy Award.
The film premiered at Karlovy Vary - where Picture Tree International boarded international rights - and played at Sarajevo Film Festival this week where it won the Youth Audience Award.
It also won the Special Jury Award and Europa Cinema Award in Karlovy Vary.
Director Drljevic’s debut feature counts an all-star Balkan cast including Leon Lucev, Boris Isakovic and Emir Hadzihafizbegovic.
The film, set two decades after the war ended in Yugoslavia, follows a diverse group of veterans who gather at a remote mountain hotel to undergo group therapy.
Watch the Men Don’t Cry trailer below or on mobile Here.
- 8/18/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: German seller lands Special Jury Award winner produced by Jasmila Zbanic.
German sales outfit Picture Tree International has boarded international rights to Yugoslav wars drama Men Don’t Cry, which this weekend scored the Special Jury Award and Europa Cinema Award in Karlovy Vary.
Picture Tree acquired the film from producers Damir Ibrahimovic, Jasmila Zbanic and Rebekka Garrido.
Director Alen Drljevic’s debut feature (Drljevic was a first Ad on a trio of Zbanic’s films) features an all-star Balkan male acting team including Leon Lucev, Boris Isakovic and Emir Hadzihafizbegovic.
The film, set two decades after the war ended in Yugoslavia, follows a diverse group of veterans who gather at a remote mountain hotel to undergo group therapy.
Watch the trailer below or on mobile Here.
Emotions are highly charged as old enmities and hostilities emerge, but the participants gradually learn to overcome their deep divisions.
The well-received film is now gearing up for at...
German sales outfit Picture Tree International has boarded international rights to Yugoslav wars drama Men Don’t Cry, which this weekend scored the Special Jury Award and Europa Cinema Award in Karlovy Vary.
Picture Tree acquired the film from producers Damir Ibrahimovic, Jasmila Zbanic and Rebekka Garrido.
Director Alen Drljevic’s debut feature (Drljevic was a first Ad on a trio of Zbanic’s films) features an all-star Balkan male acting team including Leon Lucev, Boris Isakovic and Emir Hadzihafizbegovic.
The film, set two decades after the war ended in Yugoslavia, follows a diverse group of veterans who gather at a remote mountain hotel to undergo group therapy.
Watch the trailer below or on mobile Here.
Emotions are highly charged as old enmities and hostilities emerge, but the participants gradually learn to overcome their deep divisions.
The well-received film is now gearing up for at...
- 7/11/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Kate Plays ChristineThe lineup for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, taking place between January 21 -31, has been announced.U.S. Dramatic COMPETITIONAs You Are (Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, USA): As You Are is the telling and retelling of a relationship between three teenagers as it traces the course of their friendship through a construction of disparate memories prompted by a police investigation. Cast: Owen Campbell, Charlie Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, John Scurti, Scott Cohen, Mary Stuart Masterson. World Premiere The Birth of a Nation (Nate Parker, USA): Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr. World PremiereChristine (Antonio Campos,...
- 12/7/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
The Sundance Film institute has released the line-up of film for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Going to Sundance is one of my favorite events of the year. I love going because you never know what kind of movies you're going to see. Sometimes they are great films that amaze and entertain, other times they completely suck ass, but that's all part of the fun of going to the festival. It's an awesome experience for any hardcore movie geek, and if you ever get a chance to go, you need to.
The event takes place in Park City, Utah next year from January 21st to the 31st. It looks like there's a great line-up of movies at next year's event. My favorite portion of the event is the Midnight section because it deals more with geeky genre type movies, but I also enjoy the various sections of other line-ups.
Some of...
The event takes place in Park City, Utah next year from January 21st to the 31st. It looks like there's a great line-up of movies at next year's event. My favorite portion of the event is the Midnight section because it deals more with geeky genre type movies, but I also enjoy the various sections of other line-ups.
Some of...
- 12/6/2015
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
In last year’s section which included Ariel Kleiman’s Partisan and Anne Sewitsky’s Homesick, it was John Maclean’s debut Slow West claimed the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize, Alanté Kavaïté’s The Summer of Sangailé landed the Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic, Umrika was the audience’s won the Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic. In this year’s dozen offerings we have names we normally associate with Cannes in The Misfortunates‘ Felix van Groeningen (Belgica), The Other Side of Sleep‘s Rebecca Daly (Mammal – see pic above) and A Stray Girlfriend‘s Ana Katz (Mi Amiga del Parque). Here are the selections.
Belgica / Belgium, France, Netherlands (Director: Felix van Groeningen, Screenwriters: Felix van Groeningen, Arne Sierens) — In the midst of Belgium’s nightlife scene, two brothers start a bar and get swept up in its success.Cast: Stef Aerts, Tom Vermeir, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Hélène De Vos. World Premiere.
Belgica / Belgium, France, Netherlands (Director: Felix van Groeningen, Screenwriters: Felix van Groeningen, Arne Sierens) — In the midst of Belgium’s nightlife scene, two brothers start a bar and get swept up in its success.Cast: Stef Aerts, Tom Vermeir, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Hélène De Vos. World Premiere.
- 12/2/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Titles include Tallulah starring Ellen Page and Allison Janney, and Chad Hartigan’s Morris From America (pictured); Next strand also announced.Scroll down for full list
Sundance Institute has announced the 65 films selected for the Us Competition, World Competition and out-of-competition Next categories set to screen at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival (Jan 21-31) in Park City.
Us Dramatic Competition selections include Sian Heder’s Tallulah with Ellen Page and Allison Janney; Antonio Campos’ Christine; Clea DuVall’s feature directorial debut The Intervention; and Richard Tanne’s Southside With You, about Barack Obama’s first date with the First Lady.
Among the Us Documentary Competition selections are: Holy Hell by undisclosed; Jeff Feuerzeig’s Author: The Jt LeRoy Story; and Sara Jordenö’s Kiki.
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition entries include: Belgica (Belgium-France-Netherlands), Felix van Groeningen’s follow-up to The Broken Circle Breakdown; Manolo Cruz and Carlos del Castillo’s Between Sea And Land (Colombia); and Nicolette Krebitz’s Wild...
Sundance Institute has announced the 65 films selected for the Us Competition, World Competition and out-of-competition Next categories set to screen at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival (Jan 21-31) in Park City.
Us Dramatic Competition selections include Sian Heder’s Tallulah with Ellen Page and Allison Janney; Antonio Campos’ Christine; Clea DuVall’s feature directorial debut The Intervention; and Richard Tanne’s Southside With You, about Barack Obama’s first date with the First Lady.
Among the Us Documentary Competition selections are: Holy Hell by undisclosed; Jeff Feuerzeig’s Author: The Jt LeRoy Story; and Sara Jordenö’s Kiki.
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition entries include: Belgica (Belgium-France-Netherlands), Felix van Groeningen’s follow-up to The Broken Circle Breakdown; Manolo Cruz and Carlos del Castillo’s Between Sea And Land (Colombia); and Nicolette Krebitz’s Wild...
- 12/2/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Circles, Serbia's Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. U.S. : None Yet . International Sales Agent: Memento Films International (Mfi)
The end is often only the beginning. As irrefutably definitive as death is, its occurrence fabricates a tangent in other people’s lives that forever alters their destiny. Those involved in the event, the survivors or perpetrators, are left behind to grapple with the grudges, conflicts, and uncertainties that were aroused from that single fateful moment. Unknowingly, the deceased becomes the absolute protagonist of the stories that go on long after the last breath. Masterfully elaborated Srdan Golubovic’s Circles concocts a plot that doesn’t ask what would have happened to these characters’ lives if the hero wouldn’t have carried out his benevolent deed, but instead delves into the long-term repercussions of such irreversible act.
Intertwining three different stories in locations distant from each other, the film opens in 1993 as Marko (Vuk Kostic), a soldier in the Bosnian war, is returning home for the weekend to the mostly Muslim populated town of Trebinje in Serbia. While hanging out with his old pal Nabobs (Nebojsa Glogovac) he sees a pack of fellow Serbian soldiers harassing the Muslim shopkeeper Haris (Leon Lucev). Peacefully trying to prevent this from happening, Marko is beaten to death. Over a decade later all of those affected by the incident find themselves still dealing with the consequences. His elderly father, Ranko (Aleksandar Bercek), spends his days rebuilding a church on top of a mountain in Bosnia Herzegovina. Unexpectedly, his ability to forgive is tested when confronted with teenager Bogdan (Nikola Rakocevic), the child of one of his son’s killers who wants to work for him.
Given a second chance, Haris, who is eternally grateful for Marko’s sacrifice, now married and with two daughters, resides in Germany and feels responsible for helping Nada (Hristina Popovic), his savior’s former fiancé. Falling into alcoholism to cope with the grief of losing Marko, she has made her fair share of terrible choices and has come to ask him for refuge as she is running away with her son trying to escape her abusive husband. Even more morally challenging is Nabobs' predicament. Living in Belgrade now, the practicing surgeon is faced with the news that he has to operate on Todor (Boris Isakovic), Marko’s prime killer and save his life even though the latter shows no remorse for the brutal murder.
Superbly layered, the narrative is intricate and deeply affecting. Each of the participants in this fragmented tale about the ramifications of a single instant is presented with a unique opportunity to find closure and to transform the seemingly irreparable hatred into redemptive kindness. It takes a more courageous heart to fight darkness with hope than to give in to senseless revenge. In order to mitigate the pain produced by Marko’s death, Ranko must allow himself to see Bogdan for who he is, and not render him as evil based on his father's cruelty. By the same token, Haris’ commitment to repay his debt pushes him to put himself at risk to protect someone else, just as Marko selflessly did for him simply because it is the correct thing to do. Similarly troubled, Nabobs searches for a minute trace of remorse in his enemy in order to save himself giving into his rage. Needless to say, the entire cast entrances the viewer with dazzling performances coming out of the innermost preoccupations and torturing emotions which their characters endure.
Like the ripples on water after hit by a stone, the entire story revolves around a man whose is on screen for minimal time, yet, his absence sets in motion powerful concentric waves. Furthermore, although the film contains heavy philosophical themes, it is grounded on visceral humanity and impulses which run the risk of eradicating rationality when something unjustifiable takes place. Shot with arresting and straight forward beauty, the backgrounds serve as canvases against which the flawed players struggle with their conscience. Nothing short of a masterpiece, Golubović’s latest effort Circles is a boldly poetic work of art about the healing power of reconciliation.
Read Sydney Levine's Interview with director Srdan Golubović during the Sundance Film Festival Here
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
The end is often only the beginning. As irrefutably definitive as death is, its occurrence fabricates a tangent in other people’s lives that forever alters their destiny. Those involved in the event, the survivors or perpetrators, are left behind to grapple with the grudges, conflicts, and uncertainties that were aroused from that single fateful moment. Unknowingly, the deceased becomes the absolute protagonist of the stories that go on long after the last breath. Masterfully elaborated Srdan Golubovic’s Circles concocts a plot that doesn’t ask what would have happened to these characters’ lives if the hero wouldn’t have carried out his benevolent deed, but instead delves into the long-term repercussions of such irreversible act.
Intertwining three different stories in locations distant from each other, the film opens in 1993 as Marko (Vuk Kostic), a soldier in the Bosnian war, is returning home for the weekend to the mostly Muslim populated town of Trebinje in Serbia. While hanging out with his old pal Nabobs (Nebojsa Glogovac) he sees a pack of fellow Serbian soldiers harassing the Muslim shopkeeper Haris (Leon Lucev). Peacefully trying to prevent this from happening, Marko is beaten to death. Over a decade later all of those affected by the incident find themselves still dealing with the consequences. His elderly father, Ranko (Aleksandar Bercek), spends his days rebuilding a church on top of a mountain in Bosnia Herzegovina. Unexpectedly, his ability to forgive is tested when confronted with teenager Bogdan (Nikola Rakocevic), the child of one of his son’s killers who wants to work for him.
Given a second chance, Haris, who is eternally grateful for Marko’s sacrifice, now married and with two daughters, resides in Germany and feels responsible for helping Nada (Hristina Popovic), his savior’s former fiancé. Falling into alcoholism to cope with the grief of losing Marko, she has made her fair share of terrible choices and has come to ask him for refuge as she is running away with her son trying to escape her abusive husband. Even more morally challenging is Nabobs' predicament. Living in Belgrade now, the practicing surgeon is faced with the news that he has to operate on Todor (Boris Isakovic), Marko’s prime killer and save his life even though the latter shows no remorse for the brutal murder.
Superbly layered, the narrative is intricate and deeply affecting. Each of the participants in this fragmented tale about the ramifications of a single instant is presented with a unique opportunity to find closure and to transform the seemingly irreparable hatred into redemptive kindness. It takes a more courageous heart to fight darkness with hope than to give in to senseless revenge. In order to mitigate the pain produced by Marko’s death, Ranko must allow himself to see Bogdan for who he is, and not render him as evil based on his father's cruelty. By the same token, Haris’ commitment to repay his debt pushes him to put himself at risk to protect someone else, just as Marko selflessly did for him simply because it is the correct thing to do. Similarly troubled, Nabobs searches for a minute trace of remorse in his enemy in order to save himself giving into his rage. Needless to say, the entire cast entrances the viewer with dazzling performances coming out of the innermost preoccupations and torturing emotions which their characters endure.
Like the ripples on water after hit by a stone, the entire story revolves around a man whose is on screen for minimal time, yet, his absence sets in motion powerful concentric waves. Furthermore, although the film contains heavy philosophical themes, it is grounded on visceral humanity and impulses which run the risk of eradicating rationality when something unjustifiable takes place. Shot with arresting and straight forward beauty, the backgrounds serve as canvases against which the flawed players struggle with their conscience. Nothing short of a masterpiece, Golubović’s latest effort Circles is a boldly poetic work of art about the healing power of reconciliation.
Read Sydney Levine's Interview with director Srdan Golubović during the Sundance Film Festival Here
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
- 11/29/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Circles In the Sand: Golubovic’s Intersecting Triptych Spins Right Round
“When you throw a stone in water, something happens,” mutters one of the main players in Serbian filmmaker Srdan Golubovic’s third feature, Circles, one of many on the nose instances that bludgeons away the narrative’s first act subtleties as it fluctuates between three separate storylines that coalesce into an ungainly whole. A followup to his successful 2007 noir tinged The Trap, Golubovic’s latest isn’t without out its merits, but like its predecessor in the director’s filmography, suffers greatly from borrowing stylistically from one too many similarly themed ventures.
Beginning in 1993 Trebinje Bosnia, Marco (Vuk Kostic), a Serbian soldier on leave, returns home to see his lady love. Visiting with his close friend, Nabobs (Nebojsa Glogovac), Marco witness a trio of soldiers, led by Todor (Boris Isakovic) beating an innocent Muslim shopkeeper, Haris (Leon Lucev) in the street.
“When you throw a stone in water, something happens,” mutters one of the main players in Serbian filmmaker Srdan Golubovic’s third feature, Circles, one of many on the nose instances that bludgeons away the narrative’s first act subtleties as it fluctuates between three separate storylines that coalesce into an ungainly whole. A followup to his successful 2007 noir tinged The Trap, Golubovic’s latest isn’t without out its merits, but like its predecessor in the director’s filmography, suffers greatly from borrowing stylistically from one too many similarly themed ventures.
Beginning in 1993 Trebinje Bosnia, Marco (Vuk Kostic), a Serbian soldier on leave, returns home to see his lady love. Visiting with his close friend, Nabobs (Nebojsa Glogovac), Marco witness a trio of soldiers, led by Todor (Boris Isakovic) beating an innocent Muslim shopkeeper, Haris (Leon Lucev) in the street.
- 1/19/2013
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.