How Come It’s All Green Out Here? is the second feature of director Nikola Ležaić. His debut, Tilva Roš (2010), was nominated for the European Film Award (European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI) and was screened and awarded at many world festivals including Locarno, Thessaloniki, Rotterdam, Sarajevo, Les Arcs, Warsaw, San Francisco and elsewhere.

It is a story of Nikola (34), a film director ‘stuck’ in the advertising industry. Dissatisfied with his career, he buys an old van that he plans to convert into a camper. He is about to become a father in a few months and wants to travel with his wife and daughter. Meanwhile, his parents tell him that a possibility has opened up to return the remains of his late grandmother Pera, who fled Croatia during the war and died in Serbia, to Đevrske, her native village in Dalmatia. Since he has not seen his grandmother’s house in 25 years, he enthusiastically embarks on this journey with his father Mirko (74). Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about parenting, family, the passage of time, and memories that sometimes turn out not to be real.

The film was shot in Croatia, in the Šibenik-Knin County, in the area around the village of Đevrske. In addition to co-producer Siniša Juričić, several Croatian cast and crew members participated in the project – including lead actors Snježana Sinovčić, Radoslava Mrkšić, Stojan Matavulj and Leon Lučev. The production manager was Ana Šepić Solaja, while the film was edited by Jan Klemsche.

Produced by PR QČE (Nikola Ležaić), and co-produced by Siniša Juričić (Nukleus Film), How Come It’s All Green Out Here? was realised with the support of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (for minority co-production).

The film is about to have its world premiere as part of the Proxima Competition at Karlovy Vary.

Czech director and screenwriter Vojtěch Strakatý’s feature The Other Side of Summer, realised in co-production with Wolfgang & Dolly (Matija Drniković, Tamara Babun Zovko), will have its world debut in the same programme.

Best friends 15-year-old Bětka and Alma spend a boring summer at a lakeside cottage under the watchful eye of Bětka’s older sister Marie (26). Since Alma is leaving in a few days to study abroad, the girls try to make the most of their remaining time together. Bětka plans to go to a party at a beach bar on the opposite side of the lake, but Marie refuses to let the teenage girls go alone. Alma then meets Aneta (16), who takes her to an island in the middle of the lake. There she discovers a mysterious pool that can transport a person anywhere in the world. Alma decides to go through the portal in search of a better place. But does such a place exist at all?

The film was partially shot in Croatia, in Istria County. In addition to co-producers Matija Drniković and Tamara Babun Zovko, the Croatian section of the filming included production manager and actor Antonio Scarpa, make-up artist Tatjana Tomšić, lighting designer Petar Strmečki and extras coordinator Adelina Jug.

The Karlovy Vary International film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in Europe, annually showcasing more than 200 titles. The festival this year runs from 4 to 12 July, while more details about the programme are available on the official website of the festival.