Zlarin’s Film Odyssey: Unforgettable Moments Under the Stars!

  11. July 2023.

Summer Cinema on Zlarin begins on Sunday, July 16th, at the Coral Center Zlarin and runs until August 24th. Seven films will be shown in the open air cinema during that period.

This is part of the Summer Cinema program which takes place not only on the island of Zlarin, but also in Jadrija, Prvić Šepurine, and Žirje, all organized by the Šibenik Fortress of Culture. The beloved islands and beaches of the Šibenik archipelago will become new stages and small summer cinemas, showcasing carefully selected titles of award-winning independent films that have made their mark in the previous season.

A touch of cinematic magic will thus sweep through the Šibenik Channel, from the popular city beach of Jadrija, across the coral island of Zlarin, Faust’s island of Prvić, all the way to our largest and most distant island – Žirje!

Summer Cinema – ZLARIN

Films on Zlarin will be screened at the Croatian Coral Center in Zlarin, starting at 9:30 PM. Admission is free for all interested individuals.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

July 16th – CLOSE

July 18th – THE LION KING

July 26th – BREATHLESS

August 4th – TRIANGLE OF SORROW

August 14th – THE SUMMER I LEARNED TO FLY

August 20th – GARBURA

August 24th – JOYLAND

FILM SYNOPSIS AND TRAILERS

CLOSE, dir. Lukas Dhont, Belgium, France, Netherlands, 2022, 105 mins

One of the most acclaimed films of the season, this tender and powerful coming-of-age story revolves around the friendship of two boys and a tragic event. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Elegant, beautiful, and moving, CLOSE explores the emotions and desires often felt by teenagers but rarely understood (Vox). Through the story of the close friendship between two 13-year-old boys condemned by their surroundings, the film painfully and honestly tackles themes of masculinity, intimacy, fear, and responsibility.

THE LION KING, dir. Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers, USA, 1994, 88 mins, dubbed

Nearly three decades after charming children and entire families around the world, Simba the lion cub will grace the big screen of Summer Cinema Barone!

This animated hit from 1994 and Aladdin from 1992 heralded the renaissance of Disney Studios and became the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of its time. It was also the first Disney film based on an original screenplay rather than an existing story.

With narrative motifs inspired by Shakespeare’s plays Hamlet and Macbeth, the film follows the coming-of-age journey of the lion prince Simba, who must overcome the loss of his father and the machinations of his treacherous and manipulative uncle to claim his rightful place on the throne. This saga set in the African savannah is accompanied by enchanting, memorable music and entertaining characters, including Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog, who even received their own series.

The film will be screened in dubbed version as part of the Summer in the Cinema Network program.

BREATHLESS, dir. Radislav Jovanov Gonzo, Croatia, 2022, 92 mins

BREATHLESS, another debut work by the renowned Croatian music video director and winner of ten Porin awards, Radislav Jovanov Gonzo.

A group of old friends gathers for the first time in ten years following the sudden death of a friend. Despite past grievances and secrets, the night of carousing becomes an evening of fun and reminiscing about better times. The film features Judita Franković, Aleksandra Naumov, Rakan Rushaidat, Krešimir Mikić, and Hrvoje Barišić in leading roles, with music composed by Coco Mosquito (Jinx).

TRIANGLE OF SORROW, dir. Ruben Östlund, Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark, 2022, 142 mins (15)

The latest work from one of today’s most exciting filmmakers, Swedish director Ruben Östlund, follows a couple who share careers as models and a passion for a luxurious lifestyle. Carl and Yaya are invited on a luxurious cruise with ultra-rich individuals – a Russian oligarch, British arms dealers, and an eccentric alcoholic captain (Woody Harrelson) who quotes Marx. Initially, everything seems perfect, like an Instagram post. However, a storm is brewing, and a mass outbreak of seasickness spoils the luxury dinner. Part of the passengers and crew end up stranded on a deserted island. When it is discovered that only one of them knows how to catch fish, the hierarchy among the stranded suddenly flips.

In Triangle of Sorrow, one of the roles is played by the renowned Croatian actor with a Danish address, Zlatko Burić, known from Croatian films like Don’t Look at My Plate, as well as contemporary European cinema classics such as Pusher by Nicolas Winding Refn. Burić received one of his most important recognitions to date for his role as a Russian oligarch – the European Film Award.

Triangle of Sorrow has been nominated for Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director at this year’s Oscars.

THE SUMMER I LEARNED TO FLY, dir. Radivoje Andrić, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, 2022, 87 mins, live-action

This family dramedy about growing up is the latest hit from director Radivoje Andrić, whose films Munja! (2001) and When I Grow Up, I’ll Be a Kangaroo (2004) have gained cult status among audiences in the region.

Based on Jasminke Petrović’s novel, the film follows twelve-year-old Sofija, who dreams of camping with a group of friends and experiencing her first kiss. However, she is forced to spend her vacation in a dilapidated family house on Hvar with her somewhat annoying grandmother Marija and quirky aunt Luce. Without company and the internet, Sofija’s life on Hvar becomes a nightmare. However, the monotony is soon interrupted by her grandmother’s unusual behavior. Sofija suspects a secret romance, but the investigation into her grandmother’s love life actually reveals a long-held family secret.

Produced as a minority Croatian co-production (Kinorama), the film has been screened at various European festivals, including Locarno, Zlín, and Pula, and won the Best European Film award at the BUFF International Film Festival for Children and Young People in Malmö.

GARBURA, dir. Josip Žuvan, Croatia, Serbia, 2022, 113 mins (12)

The story of the friendship between two boys from feuding families is the feature film debut of young director Josip Žuvan, following its premiere at the prestigious San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Zagreb Film Festival.

The plot follows inseparable twelve-year-olds Nikola and Antonio, who live in neighboring houses.