God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunija

I have just watched this movie in Athens and I am very satisfied with it. We were eleven spectators in the theatre during the 20:00 local time screening while rain and wind were raging outside. I had read about the message it seeks to convey and I think it does so very effectively. It is one-sided aligning with progress against religious tradition, obscurantism and male chauvinism. Some of those who uphold religious tradition and patriarchal authority are portrayed very negatively, the equivalent of "church and king" crowds of earlier times. Others such as the priest and some policemen are more ambivalent characters with both negative and positive aspects. Even the TV journalist though who upholds progressivism is not an altogether positive character. The plot is simple: an educated young woman who is nevertheless unemployed performs almost thoughtlessly a symbolic act which puts her at odds with the longstanding conventions and prejudices of a backward society and suffers the consequences. Clearly the movie sides with the open society option against ossified tradition. Not everyone will like this but most people in the West will.

Undeveloped story with some good dialogue scenes where Zorica Nushewas character comes alive for a few seconds. Feels like a short film being blown out of proportion. Little character development with a predictable plot and some unbelievable characters. Probably must do for Macedonia. Not a must see for everyone.

This movie is very powerful because it is very powerful, and there is basically no weakness from script to photography to performance. The movie sparkles from the moment Peñia jumps into the water, making the eyes not want to leave for a second. The dialogue is full of humor, and several transitions from the camera lens to the reality are also very interesting.

I wouldn't change a scene or a word. It's an epic film that speaks to my upbringing, my culture and my heart. Petrunija is a goodness, follows her heart, her spirit and her inner voice. She doesn't trust the police, the church orthe media. You have to watch it!

I think there're some exageratted scenes, yet I guess it's important starting to introduce some feminism in cinema.