Predstavljanje nove hrvatske kinematografije u suradnji s Generalnim konzulatom Republike Hrvatske u Los Angelesu, Ministarstvom vanjskih poslova, Hrvatskim audiovizualnim centrom, te uz podršku E.L.M.A. (Europski jezici i filmovi u Americi)

Tek nekoliko mjeseci nakon što su braća Lumiere očarala Pariz svojim sićušnim slikama u pokretu, film je 3. listopada 1896. stigao i u Zagreb. Od tada pa do danas hrvatska je filmska industrija ustrajala, a nikakve političke, društvene ili financijske prepreke nisu uspjele utišati glasove hrvatskih filmaša. Godine 1961. Hrvatska je osvojila svoj prvi Oscar za kratki animirani film Surogat Dušana Vukotića. Ovo je priznanje donijelo svjetsku slavu Zagrebačkog školi crtanog filma, koja je primjenjivala novu estetiku, nadahnutu avangardnim apstraktnim slikarstvom, konstruktivizmom i kubizmom.

Duboko ukorijenjeni u nacionalnu književnost, hrvatski filmovi odražavaju srednjoeuropske stavove o umjetničkom izričaju. Život je obično prikazan realistično, a budžet je skroman. Tijekom devedesetih, u vrijeme Domovinskog rata, nastupila je nova era filma u svježe osamostaljenoj Hrvatskoj. Novi naraštaj – Brešan, Ogresta, Salaj, Nola, Schmidt, Hribar, Ostojić, Matanić – pomoću filma izražavali su ne samo vlastita iskustva, nego i dočaravali suvremeni život u novoj nezavisnoj državi. Od tada su se pojavili još izražajniji i moderniji filmaši, poput Ognjena Sviličića i Nevija Marasovića.

Ove godine serija Novi hrvatski film uključuje hrvatski blockbuster i obiteljsku pustolovinu KOKO I DUHOVI, u režiji Daniela Kušana, farsu romantične komedije NEKA OSTANE MEĐU NAMA Rajka Grlića, dugometražni prvijenac Nevija Marasovića o posljednjem reality showu na svijetu, THE SHOW MUST GO ON, LEU I DARIJU Branka Ivande, dirljivu dramu o prijateljstvu malih plesačica u osvit Drugog svjetskog rata, te uvrnutu crnu komediju Vinka Brešana NIJE KRAJ.

Filmove su odabrali Gwen Deglise, Margaux Magis, Branko Lustig i Matko B. Malinger. Dodatne programske bilješke napisali su Margaux Magis i Beth Hanna.

Raspored projekcija:

Friday, April 13 – 7:30 PM / NEW CROATIAN CINEMA
Double Feature:

THE SHOW MUST GO ON, 2010, 80 min.
Dir. Nevio Marasović

In the near future, successful TV producer Filip (Sven Medvešek) has just launched a reality show focusing on the lives of six couples living together, a direct competitor to his ex-wife’s higher-rated news show. When the much-speculated World War III breaks out, Filip hides the international news from his sequestered contestants, who continue with their sheltered on-set lives as if nothing has happened. Filip suddenly finds himself with a massively popular escapist TV show on his hands, and must grapple with the slippery morals that go along with it while trying to protect his son from the harshrealities of war. In Croatian with English subtitles.

JUST BETWEEN US (NEKA OSTANE MEĐU NAMA), 2010, 87 min.
Dir. Rajko Grlić

Wealthy philanderer Nikola (Miki Manojlović) is married to Anamarija (Daria Lorenci), the ex-girlfriend of his equally philandering brother, Braco (Bojan Navojec). Deeply resentful of his brother, Braco has retaliated by marrying Nikola's childhood sweetie, Marta (Ksenija Marinković), and meanwhile secretly is supplying sperm for Anamarija, who's trying to conceive through in vitro fertilization. Rajko Grlić’s farce of sexual musical chairs and hyperbolic familial axe-grinding is one hilarioushairpin turn after another, anchored by a winningly charming cast. In Croatian with English subtitles.

Discussion between films with director Nevio Marasović and composer Željko Marasović (THE SHOW MUST GO ON).

Saturday, April 14 – 7:30 PM / NEW CROATIAN CINEMA
Double Feature:

LEA AND DARIJA (LEA I DARIJA), 2011, 101 min
Dir. Branko Ivanda

Based on the true story of Lea Deutsch and Darija Gasteiger, 13-year-old competitive dancers in Zagreb on the eve of World War II, Branko Ivanda’s moving drama follows the girls’ initial rivalry and then budding friendship. When anti-Jewish laws are implemented in the city, Lea and Darija find their relationship tested and must face the harsh realities of growing up during wartime. With beautiful cinematography inside and around the grand Croatian National Theater. In Croatian with English subtitles.

WILL NOT STOP THERE (NIJE KRAJ), 2008, 100 min
Dir. Vinko Brešan

Vinko Bresan’s deliciously cynical black comedy is told from the point of view of Djuro (Predrag “Predjo” Vusovic), a jaded porn star enlisted by Croatian war veteran-turned-private detective Martin to help find his missing love, Desa. But Desa has gotten herself mixed up in a Serbian prostitution ring, and when the two finally find her, they must contend with a money-grubbing pimp to get her back. Winner of the Audience Award at the Pula Film Festival. “Mixes sex, violence and humor into a rollicking whole.” – Variety.In Croatian with English subtitles. Introduction by producer Branko Lustig (LEA AND DARIJA).

Sunday, April 15 – 5:00 PM / NEW CROATIAN CINEMA

KOKO AND THE GHOSTS (KOKO I DUHOVI), 2011, 90 min
Dir. Daniel Kušan

Shortly after Koko (Antonio Parać) and his family move to a new house in the city, eerily strange things start happening, and they begin to wonder if the house is inhabited by spirits - the previous owner, perhaps? When Koko’s sister goes missing, the young boy must embark on a quest to find her, and along the way discover the truth about the house and its bizarre supernatural quirks. A smash success upon its release in Croatia, Daniel Kušan’s KOKO AND THE GHOSTS is a wonderful adventure film for the whole family to enjoy. In Croatian with English subtitles. Reception following for all ticket holders.