F20

Most people working on this project didn't do that bad of a job. I can even look aside at the fact that a few actors seemed to overact at times. But it all becomes irrelevant when the screenplay is so appalling that no amount of decent work from everyone else can save it from being a failure. The plot is very formulaic so how things will progress and end up can be easily guessed. It is filled with stock-characters who at points become caricatures. Their motivations are either stereotypical or not credible enough. We all deserved better.

WARNING all of the uber negative comments must of been written by the same persone.

• A reviewer says, "It was just another Croatian film that underestimates its audience by showing absolutely every average member of society as incompetent." so an english teacher in a film represents all english teachers of the world and if that teacher fails to teach 1 student something that means, following the "logic" of this guy, every english teacher in the wrold is incompetent ?
• Here we go again, COMMENT #2 again, "adults are villanized in a cheap attempt to make the youth more symathetic" how about the director tried to raise the stakes?? Why would the girl run from her father, where would the tension come from if the father was a gentle, understanding man? Than she would be just another rebelious teen and you'd complain she's too clishe, there's such a thing called suspension of disbelief, it's expected, it's A MOVIE.
• ALSO "the slang is based on stereotypes"? Yes, and? I've heard those same convos a thousand times, word-for-word, so what? If they had a twist on it of their own, you'd say it's too weird, unrealistic, no one speaks like that.
• Subjective 8, objective 5.5 It's a good time, short but sweet, with a li'l bit of cringe, a perfect film for a rainy day.

I watched this film at the Croatian national film festival in Pula, among the crowd of several thousand people and it was truly an eye opener. It is no wonder that the film has received a very high audience vote, one of the highest in the past 10-15 years of the festival. The way the story was told, the way it was performed by actors, the way it was designed, shot and edited and the way the soundtrack was chosen, it was indeed like watching one of top quality Hollywood genre films, with a touch of European flavor. Kudos to the filmmakers who succeeded in holding attention of several thousand audience members in Pula's ancient Roman arena, and drawing a long lasting applause after the end of the screening. It was good to know that Croatians are capable of producing a smart genre film that makes sense and that can be suspenseful, entertaining and emotional.

I watched all of Arsen's previous films and considered them as some of the very best that Croatian film industry has to offer, so I expected this one with excitement. Luckily, I didn't get disappointed. On the contrary, it cemented my feeling that his films simply don't belong to the mediocre world of Croatian filmmaking. Although dealing a very sensitive subject, which is mental illness, he managed to make an exciting, thought-provoking and entertaining film which never loses its steam. Arsen has again managed to surprise, both the critics and the audiences, by choosing a subject, genre and style which has nothing to do with his previous films, aside for his impeccable sense for storytelling, inner rhythm of the film and emotional impact. His directing is again masterful as it manages to hold the story together, creating pace that many Hollywood directors would envy him for. He once more manages to discover young talents who are simply perfect in their roles. It becomes almost as a cliché that a young, undiscovered first-time actor would excel in Arsen's films. He again chooses great songs and picks a young band, giving them a chance to showcase their talents. Similar to his previous films, the editing and the cinematography are excellent as well, making this film one of truly most exciting Croatian films I've seen in decades.

After having seen quite a number of Croatian films this one came as a total surprise. I admit that I didn't expect anything new, but F20 manages to deliver strong punches and keeps you glued to your seat for the entire duration of the film. It is completely void of any standard Croatian subjects and themes, such as war, social situations, politics, etc., and tells a story of a young couple trying to escape from the city in the middle of the summer to party at a well-known party beach. Things go terribly wrong so instead of fun and games, there are dead bodies left behind and a trail of blood following them to the very end. The acting is truly excellent, especially knowing that the actors are very young. The cinematography is exquisite, as well as the directing. In my mind, one of the best parts is the music. One of the songs, sung in English by an up-and-coming band is excellent, and a real hit. This is the kind of a film that I'd gladly watch again.