Zvizdan (2015)

Three different love stories, set in three consecutive decades, in two neighbouring Balkan villages burdened with a long history of inter-ethnic hatred: this is a film about the dangers - and the enduring strength - of forbidden love.

Director:

Dalibor Matanic

Writer:

Dalibor Matanic

Stars:

Tihana Lazovic, Goran Markovic, Nives Ivankovic

12 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Tihana Lazovic	...	Jelena / Natasa / Marija
Goran Markovic	...	Ivan / Ante / Luka
Nives Ivankovic	...	Jelenina majka / Natasina majka
Dado Cosic	...	Sasa
Stipe Radoja	...	Bozo / Ivno
Trpimir Jurkic	...	Ivanov / Lukin otac
Mira Banjac	...	Ivanova baba
Slavko Sobin	...	Mane / Dino
Lukrecija Tudor	...	Dinka
Tara Rosandic	...	Petra
Ksenija Marinkovic	...	Lukina majka

Storyline

Three different love stories, set in three consecutive decades, in two neighbouring Balkan villages burdened with a long history of inter-ethnic hatred: this is a film about the dangers - and the enduring strength - of forbidden love.

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Plot Keywords:

forbidden love | ethnic conflict | bare chested male | anthology film | omnibus film | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Zvizdan - Official site

Country:

Croatia Serbia Slovenia

Language:

Croatian

Release Date:

24 March 2016 (Serbia)

Also Known As:

Bajo el sol

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$631,431

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kinorama, Gustav Film, See Film Pro

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 1991, 2001 and 2011.

User Reviews

The silence is broken

It's been 20 years since the war in Yugoslavia, and the hate between the two nations has been growing like a balloon. The people who used to live in harmony and love for almost 40 years, are now living in animosity, that being their everyday life. Thus, whoever dared to speak about this subject or even try to forget or forgive, has been criticized from the both sides and named as traitor. Living in that kind of environment for that long must have been frustrating and agonizing and leave no space to make progress.

This film is dealing with all the frustrations and emotions of the people affected by the war. It shows that a war can last longer in our heads after it is finished. Everyone can relate to this story. Everyone who is "on the other side". It is about love and hate, and how love can easily be replaced by hate and grow even bigger. Through two very complex and vulnerable characters, placed in three decades, Matanic shows us the layers and consequences of the war. The first story is about love, the second about hate and the third about forgiving and loving again. Being in the same age in all three stories, the characters represent the subconscious that war evoked in the people's minds. So, we either end up loving again or dying slowly with hatred in our hearts.

It's beautifully shot film, with long and captivating shots portraying the reality of every character and holding to their emotions. The actors are the highlight of the film, taking every scene and making us bear with them all the time.

It is a very brave film that want us to close the doors to nationalism and make a step forward to humanism.

A lot of films tried to portray the war in Yugoslavia, but i guess none of them could speak from the heart. "The High Sun" finally does exactly that. Dalibor Matanic finally breaks the silence and shows us the only way there is and ever been. Love. 9/10