Balkanibal
Joined Mar 2009
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Reviews8
Balkanibal's rating
Watched it the other day in cinema, 'cos I wanted to pay full price for the ticket and show my support for Croatian non-arty-farty film.
I'm ambivalent with what I saw.
Camera work, scenography, the cast that's all good and the initial idea for the story is fresh. However, I didn't care for the characters, their plight didn't leave me at the edge of the seat. This film wants to be a psychological thriller but it misses some key components. It has plot holes and there are some rather unconvincing moments - I don't want to write spoilers.
Maybe I'm too critical, but it's only because I want more of non-arty-farty Croatian films and I want those films to be better.
I'm ambivalent with what I saw.
Camera work, scenography, the cast that's all good and the initial idea for the story is fresh. However, I didn't care for the characters, their plight didn't leave me at the edge of the seat. This film wants to be a psychological thriller but it misses some key components. It has plot holes and there are some rather unconvincing moments - I don't want to write spoilers.
Maybe I'm too critical, but it's only because I want more of non-arty-farty Croatian films and I want those films to be better.
Watched this film yesterday evening at Zagreb Film Festival and didn't expect much to be honest. However it surprised me positively. It depicts, quite vividly, the atmosphere of an elementary school. A new member of the staff, Anamarija the school counsellor, is trying to find her footing in a new enviroment.
The film doesn't explain much at first, the viewer is kind of thrown in and left to fend for him or herself. However it's rewarding after a while as you begin to catch all the threads.
The conflict of the main plot is slowly evolving, escalating in the right direction, and I was interested to find out where it will go but... Unfortunately, towards the end the film starts to limp a bit and it's kind of anticlimactic.
Maybe it's the main character? She is often somewhere in the background, as there are many strong side characters who steal the spotlight. Some of those are waaaay more interesting than Anamarija. As the film progresses she tends to become a bit passive. Also I didn't see much variety in her emotions and expressions... I can't point my finger but something is missing and I didn't get that sense of fulfilment in the end.
On a positive note, directing is fresh and skillful, editing is superb and so is the music. Old Croatian folk songs, in some strange way, mix very well with the atmosphere of the Staff Room.
In conclusion... Those who work in public education will undoubtedly find many situations relatable. The film is populated with all kinds characters of teachers that we all remember from our school days. Some are sad and pathetic, some hilarious and some are mad as hatters. In short, a faithful portrayal of what's it like to work in a school.
The film is generally good and I wish it good luck on its festival run.
The film doesn't explain much at first, the viewer is kind of thrown in and left to fend for him or herself. However it's rewarding after a while as you begin to catch all the threads.
The conflict of the main plot is slowly evolving, escalating in the right direction, and I was interested to find out where it will go but... Unfortunately, towards the end the film starts to limp a bit and it's kind of anticlimactic.
Maybe it's the main character? She is often somewhere in the background, as there are many strong side characters who steal the spotlight. Some of those are waaaay more interesting than Anamarija. As the film progresses she tends to become a bit passive. Also I didn't see much variety in her emotions and expressions... I can't point my finger but something is missing and I didn't get that sense of fulfilment in the end.
On a positive note, directing is fresh and skillful, editing is superb and so is the music. Old Croatian folk songs, in some strange way, mix very well with the atmosphere of the Staff Room.
In conclusion... Those who work in public education will undoubtedly find many situations relatable. The film is populated with all kinds characters of teachers that we all remember from our school days. Some are sad and pathetic, some hilarious and some are mad as hatters. In short, a faithful portrayal of what's it like to work in a school.
The film is generally good and I wish it good luck on its festival run.
I want to point out that I just came back from the theatre so maybe I'll miss something, but I do feel that the impression of the film has settled.
To put it short, it was fun and I would recommend ZG80 to all who are interested in 'ex-YU' football hooliganism, just before 'YU' got it's infamous prefix 'ex'.
Apparently it was like a mad school trip to the football stadium, with almost no football, but with lots of alcohol, fist fighting and brutal jokes.
There is a lot of political/nationalistic subtext which will only be understood by people who grew up in the Balkans. However, I would like to encourage football fans from around the world to give it a try, it's a great way to learn about ethnic tensions between Croats and Serbs.
The film itself was made basically for two groups in Croatia, middle age male and young male audiences. The first group wants to re- experience their own memories, old hooligan anecdotes and urban myths, while the second group wants to check if those myths and anecdotes are true.
ZG80 is a fun ride but it has plot holes. In the beginning you see potentially interesting situations and characters that never fully develop. After a while I felt no dramatic suspense as I saw that nothing big or important will happen. It makes me a bit sad because this film could have and should have been made better. But then again it doesn't pretend to be something that it isn't.
Realistically it deserves a 6 but I give it a 7. Why? Because... Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamoooo, Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamooo, Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamooo, volim te DI-NA-MO!
To put it short, it was fun and I would recommend ZG80 to all who are interested in 'ex-YU' football hooliganism, just before 'YU' got it's infamous prefix 'ex'.
Apparently it was like a mad school trip to the football stadium, with almost no football, but with lots of alcohol, fist fighting and brutal jokes.
There is a lot of political/nationalistic subtext which will only be understood by people who grew up in the Balkans. However, I would like to encourage football fans from around the world to give it a try, it's a great way to learn about ethnic tensions between Croats and Serbs.
The film itself was made basically for two groups in Croatia, middle age male and young male audiences. The first group wants to re- experience their own memories, old hooligan anecdotes and urban myths, while the second group wants to check if those myths and anecdotes are true.
ZG80 is a fun ride but it has plot holes. In the beginning you see potentially interesting situations and characters that never fully develop. After a while I felt no dramatic suspense as I saw that nothing big or important will happen. It makes me a bit sad because this film could have and should have been made better. But then again it doesn't pretend to be something that it isn't.
Realistically it deserves a 6 but I give it a 7. Why? Because... Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamoooo, Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamooo, Dinamo, Dinamo, Dinamooo, volim te DI-NA-MO!