Slovene films are building a strong reputation at the international
film festivals. The season at the ICA presents the best of
contemporary releases. All films with English subtitles.
Bread and Milk (Kruh in Mleko, Jan Cvitkovič, 2001)
reveals complex relationships in a smalltown family; a father, former
alcoholic, mother and teenage son. Although they love each other, they
don't seem able to show it, so it all ends in a tragic
situation. Bread and Milk is a rough, yet emotionally charged film
about people desperately looking for love, living somewhere between
Heaven and Hell. Sounds familiar?
Spare Parts (Rezervni deli, Damjan Kozole, 2003) is set in
the world of human trafficking and stands out with its realistic
treatment of this topical issue. The spare parts of the title are body
organs sold off as the price to pay the human smugglers. The film
explores the complex relationship between perpetrators and victims by
focusing on two losers played by Peter Musevski (Ludvik) and Aljoša
Kovačič (Rudi). The former's character is a former speedway champion
dying from cancer. Rudi is the novice seeking to take over Ludviks'
role. A bleak film but one which brings to the fore the emotional
reality of a sordid trade.
Beneath Her Window (Pod njenim oknom, Metod Pevec, 2003)
Dusha is a thirtysomething dancer about to experience that
thirtysomething sense of life. Her life revolves around her dominant,
toy boy-seeking mother, an absent father and her married lover: and
frequent phone calls to her astrologer. As if that wasn't enough to
cope with, a stranger brings a story of storks to unsettle her. The
film centres around a sensitive and fragile performance by Polona
Juh.
"Strong performances and attractive photography give the film
mainstream values but it remains disarmingly offbeat".
(London Film Festival 2004)
Guardians of the Frontier (Varuh meje, Maja Weiss,
2002)
A voyage of sexual discovery with strong echoes of
Deliverance. Three students take to a canoe journey on the
captivating river Kolpa along the border of Slovenia and Croatia. The
three womens' encounters with villagers and refugees, with crossing
borders interrupt the personal journeys of discovery for each of them.
The film, exquisitely filmed by Boris Kastelic, turns into dream
sequences as the sexually charged atmosphere delves into layers of
ambiguity. A remarkable and refreshingly unusual first feature film
by Maja Weiss.
Cheese and Jam ( Kajmak in marmelada, Branko Đurić, 2003)
This is not a story about a Slovenian woman and a Bosnian man, but
something which can happen anywhere in the world. Everyone has their
own "Southerners".
A story about a couple from the lowest rank on the social ladder.
It is also about smuggling refugees across the border and other
suspicious business in which he becomes involved in a wish to earn
money and make her happy.
"A lively, cross-cultural film, black comedy with a taste of
bittersweet black chocolate." (Variety, October 2004)
Sweet Dreams (Sladke sanje, Saša Podgoršek, 2001)
Egon is 13, skinny and getting into rock and roll. It is early 1970s
Yugoslavia. His grandmother says she communicates with angels; his
mother force-feeds him canned meat. Growing up is the toughest battle
of all. A delightful film which stays optimistic despite everything.
Nostalgia and warmth permeate the story as Egon never lets up.
The photography and set design add to the realism, a lovingly and
minutely detailed recreation of a moment of recent history.
"A selection of intriguing short films is included in the
programme:"
Hop, Skip and Jump (Srdjan Vuletić, 1999, 16 min)
Heart is a Piece of Meat (Srce je kos mesa, Jan Cvitkovič, 2004, 15 min)
Piccolo Willy (Sirota s čudežnim glasom, Miha Mazzini, 2003, 13 min)
(A)torsion (Atorzija, Stefan Arsenijević, 2003, 15 min)
The Beezees: Cherries (Bizgeci: Češnje, Grega Mastnak 2003, 5 min)
