“It was an amazing experience to co-produce a documentary by Péter Kerekes since he is one of the best European documentarians. We were especially glad to do a part of the filming on the island of Cres, where the film also features a few residents of the island, who “play” themselves on that occasion. “Wishing on a Star” is a rare example of a feature that will work equally well at festivals, and among a wider audience, and we can’t wait for the world premiere in competition at Mostra and the start of the Croatian distribution, which is planned for the first half of 2025”, said the film’s co-producer, Vanja Jambrović.

The film is about Luciana, an Italian astrologer, who believes that life is influenced by the position of the stars at the time of our birth. If we want to change our life, it is enough to visit a place with a favourable constellation on our birthday: the day when we get a chance to be “born again” every year. Numerous people contact Luciana about their problems and the film follows their stories and birthday trips. Beneath the humorous mood, the documentary is a compassionate search for meaning in a chaos-filled cosmos.

The film’s director Péter Kerekes co-wrote the script together with Erica Barbiani. The director of photography is Martin Kolar. Wishing on a Star is co-produced by Italy, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The lead producers are Erica Barbiani and Lucia Candelpergher (Videomante), joined by co-producers Péter Kerkes (Péter Kerkes Films), Vanja Jambrović and Tibor Keser (Restart, Croatia), Mischief Films (Austria) and Artcam Films (Czech Republic).

In addition to the co-producers, the Croatian portion of the crew consists of executive producer and location scout Sara Jakupec, assistant costume designer Tajči Čekada, graphic designer Lena Telenta, technical coordinator Jasna Givens, financial coordinator Zrinka Košar and others.

The film was supported by Eurimages, MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund (FVG), CNC, FVG Film Commission, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Radio and Television of Slovakia, and Czech Film Fund.

The Horizons programme, in which Wishing on a Star is about to have its world premiere, is part of the official selection of the Venice International Film Festival, alongside the main competition, with films in the running for the Golden Lion. Orizzonti is devoted to authors whose films represent the latest aesthetic and expressive trends in international cinema.

The Horizons jury is chaired by American director and screenwriter Debra Granik, alongside Iranian screenwriter, director and producer Ali Asgari, Syrian director and screenwriter Soudade Kaadan, Greek director, screenwriter and producer Christos Nikou, Swedish actress and director Tuva Novotny, Hungarian filmmaker Gabor Reisz and Italian screenwriter and director Valia Santella as other members of the jury.

This year’s, 81st Venice International Film Festival takes place 28th August – 7th September. Along with the festivals in Cannes and Berlin, it is one of the most prestigious and oldest film events in the world.

Cover photographs: visuals and scenes from Wishing on a Star