Good Children, the full-length feature directed by Filip Peruzović, with producer Tena Gojić from Dinaridi Film, will have its world premiere in the programme Competition 1-2, a curated selection of first or second features by directors from around the world.

“I am excited that ‘Good Children’ will have its world premiere at the film festival in Warsaw, a city that has become especially close to my heart since I had the opportunity to stay there for a month. ‘Good children’ was created in a professional, yet also familial atmosphere, which allowed us to tell the story, with a lot of love and without compromise, of two ‘middle-aged children’ whom the audience will judge for themselves whether they are good or bad, and therefore it is a special pleasure for me that our story has been recognised by such a prestigious festival”, said Filip Peruzović.

After their mother’s funeral, brother and sister Nikola and Saša, reunite in their childhood home. Since Saša is soon returning to Canada, they have three days to clear the house. As they go through their memories and mementos, Nikola’s reluctance to part with his mother’s belongings starts to frustrate Saša. Amidst the chaos, they bond through childhood games and alcohol, but Nikola’s teasing again creates tension between them. Despite their differences, they find solace in their shared moments, although unresolved issues still linger in the air.

Starring in the feature are Filip Šovagović (Nikola) and Nina Violić (Saša), with Vinko Kraljević also appearing in a supporting role.

The producer is Tena Gojić for Dinaridi Film, with co-producer Kevin Bily from the French company Rikiki, and executive producer Ivan Glebov. Filip Peruzović directed the film and also co-write the script together with Nikolina Bogdanović, while the director of photography was Tomislav Sutlar, with Iva Ivan acting as editor, Ivan Zelić creating the sound design, Dino Topolnjak doing production design, Nikolina Bogdanović also designing the costumes, and Iva Kurobasa as the makeup artist.

Screening in the main International Competition programme is My Late Summer directed by Academy Award and two-time Silver Bear winner Danis Tanović, produced by Propeller Film. Before Warsaw, the film will screen in the Panorama selection at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and it arrives in Croatian cinemas on 3rd October, distributed by the Zagreb Film Festival. Earlier this summer, the film had its world premiere opening of the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival. Heading up the cast of this comedy drama are Anja Matković, Uliks Fehmiu, Goran Navojec, Mario Knezović, Marija Škaričić and many others.

My Late Summer was produced by Propeller Film (Croatia), in co-production with Tangaj Production (Romania), Obala Art Centar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Baš Čelik (Serbia) and Tramal Films (Slovenia).

Also screening at WIFF is zombie comedy Summer Teeth, directed by Dražen Žarković and produced by Damir Terešak, Ana Grbac and Nikolina Vučetić Zečević, appearing in the Wolny Duch / Free Spirit Competition programme, which presents “innovative and rebellious feature films and documentaries from across the globe”.

The cast features Momčilo Otašević and Ivana Gulin, supported by Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov, Milica Janevski, Ljubiša Savanović, Slavko Sobin, Damir Markovina, Ecija Ojdanić, Donat Zeko and others.

The film was produced by Maxima Film, in co-production with Biberche Productions (Serbia), Far Film Production (Montenegro), Bitter Frame Production (Montenegro), Iskra Film (Serbia), PALCHICA Productions (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Nomad Film (Bosnia and Herzegovina). 

This year’s, 40th edition of the festival in Warsaw also presents to the audience two minority Croatian co-productions. First is the documentary feature Real by director Oleh Sentsov, co-produced by Lana Matić and Boris T. Matić (Propeler Film), screening as part of the Competition 1-2, while the second is the full-length feature, Year of the Widow, by director Veronika Liškova and co-producer Miljenka Čogelja (Pipser). The screening in Warsaw marks the latter film’s world premiere.

The Warsaw International Film Festival is the most important film festival in Poland, since 2009 holding the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) accredited feature film competition, which puts it on a par with festivals such as Berlinale, Cannes, Venice, San Sebastián, Karlovy Vary and others. Its entire programme and more information is available on this link.