The Contemporary World Cinema programme at TIFF will screen 19 other titles from across the globe alongside Murina, while the screening will mark the film’s North American premiere. 

The feature debut directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, returning home with the prestigious Camera d’Or for best debut of the festival under its belt. The Croatian premiere was held at the Pula Film Festival, where it scooped up the audience award – the Golden Gate of Pula Award. Danica Ćurčić received the Golden Arena for Best Supporting Actress, while the director received the Breza Award for best debut.  

Soon, Murina heads over to the Sarajevo Film Festival where it will screen on 17th August, followed by domestic screenings at open-air cinemas and other venues across Croatia. 

Murina is a story about the tense relationship between 16-year-old Julija and her authoritative father Ante, which begins to strain once an old family friend arrives at their island home. While the father is busy attempting to broker the deal of the lifetime with the charismatic guest, he in turn opens a window of opportunity for Julia, igniting her revolt against her parents. During a weekend filled with expectations, Julija draws her family into a dangerous whirlwind of passion and violence.    

The cast is headed up by young actress Gracija Filipović, as well as Leon Lučev, Danica Ćurčić and Cliff Curtis. Alamat Kusijanović co-wrote the script together with Frank Graziano, while Danijel Pek (Antitalent) and Rodrigo Teixeira (RT Features) produced the film, with co-producers Zdenka Gold (Spiritus Movens), Jožko Rutar (SPOK Films) and Miha Černec (Staragara). The film’s creative team also includes Helene Louvart (director of photography), Ivan Veljača (production designer), Amela Bakšić (costume designer), Snježana Gorup (make-up artist), Julij Zornik (sound designer), Vlado Gojun (editor), Poster (visual effects), as well as Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine (music composers). 

Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović was born in Dubrovnik. She holds an MA from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb and an MFA in directing from Columbia University in New York. She is the author of fiction short Into the Blue, a predecessor to Murina awarded at Berlinale, winner of the Heart of Sarajevo and a Student Academy Award nominee. 

This year’s, 46th Toronto International Film Festival is scheduled to run for ten days, with over one hundred world and Canadian titles appearing in the Official Selection. In addition to in person-screenings at cinemas, the films will be available to Canada residents online via the festival platform, which will also host Q&A sessions with film authors. 

Over the years, TIFF has evolved into one of the biggest and most visited film festivals driven by the desire to present unique perspectives of authors from around the world. More information about the festival is available at TIF’s official website. 

Cover photographs: scene from Murina; director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović on the set of Murina