Kruh in mleko

This film is a partially successful attempt to describe the juvenile bewilderment and the desperation of the adults in a country in transition to the economy of free market and the West. Its greatest asset is the dryness of the style, which in the second part of the film turns into its major flaw: repetitiveness of a monotonous mood; as someone has noticed before there isn't any shot too much, but maybe there is some less than necessary: in the long run the effort of being essential leaves the suspicion that the unusually short running time, only 68', is due to a certain lack of invention and what previously was slick then becomes flat and dull. In any case the script is sincere and brave enough to show that Slovenia is not such a "posh" country as someone could believe, not being immune from nationalism and ethnic chauvinism that often give vent to the economic and social troubles. A warning for the viewers: this is one of those films indulging in their own gloom so if you have suicidal tendencies just avoid seeing it. It could be the last thing you do! The director Jan Cvitkovic has received the prize for the best debut film at the Venice film Festival; during the closing ceremony he went on the stage to receive the prize wearing T-shirt with the symbol of communism on. Finally I would say that "Kruh in mleko" is a flawed but interesting film of a director whose next releases are gonna deserve our attention.

They've qualified for their first World Cup, and the poshest ex-Yugoslav state can also boast one of Europe's rising-star directors: Cvitkovic barely wastes a frame as he brings in Kruh in mleko at a lean 68 minutes of monochrome.

Recovering alcoholic Ivan is sent by his wife to buy groceries. On his way back he bumps into an old pal and rapidly falls off the wagon, with catastrophic consequences all round.

Doesn't sound much like a comedy, but the disasters escalate so quickly and cruelly they tip over into crazy farce. Think Some Mothers Do 'ave Em, as written by Raymond Carver.

What can I say about the movie made in one of the richest country in Europe but on the other hand showing the poverty in it. Is it good?

Well from the artistic point of view its great. The little details, the dark b/w scene, the feelings that you share with the main characters, quite good acting performance,...No wonder it won the award in Venice.

But on the other sidey its a movie which is a little hard to watch. Firstly, it looks like it was made 20 years ago in Yugoslavia or any other Balkan country, but like I said, from artistic point, thats no problem, it's just hard to relate to, if you live in quite different society. Secondly, from time to time, there is a scene too much, although the movie last about an hour it seems longer.

All in all, maybe the critics think that this is the best Slovenian movie, but since it didn't touch me as for instance my no.1 choice from Slovenian cinematography - "Outsider", only

6 out of 10 (from art point of view 9 out of 10)

The movie is good. That would I say if I had only one sentence to say. But, further : - its length is short enough to concentrate on peoples emotions and that is the whole point of the movie - Jan Cvitkovic is naturely a genius! He has no formal education in making movies (the only experience to him was, I think, playing the main male role in "V leru" by J. Burger). - the camera is brilliant ; it haunts you with details

But, further : - it is not my favourite slovenian movie, unfortunately - my favourite is still "Balada o trobenti in oblaku" by France Stiglic

Although : - "Kruh in mleko" deserves a 9 plus out of 10!!!

I quite appreciated this movie, because of its dry and not pretentious style, usage of shots and b/w to reproduce a not-so-happy present society in Slovenia. It's about social issues that hardly will find a prompt answer in a society that present itself as unsteady and in the middle of a deep change.

The director chooses this unpersonal style, through which it obtains the disappearing of its presence in the movie - it's an unobtrusive narrator - and at same time it gives the product a docudrama style quite right.

Well written, it just loses rythm here and then, the second part is not so strong as the first one, but it's short enough not to spiral out its path.

Good work.