ENFF ON TOUR: Thriller The Uncle brings ”best” Christmas ever to Utrecht

The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival has just ended, but that doesn’t mean we’re standing still. We are returning to our On Tour screenings with one of the year’s most exciting films – the Croatian psychological thriller THE UNCLE (English subtitles) by Andrija Mardesic and David Kapac. You can see it at Louis Hartlooper Complex in Utrecht on December 13 at 19:00 and join us for an ENFF cocktail afterward ( included in the price).

This dark psychological thriller with elements of farce premiered at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2022 and immediately received a Special Jury Mention. The debut feature film by two young Croatian directors is reminiscent of Haneke’s work, masterfully balancing between the grotesque, black comedy and the tension that can be “cut with a knife”. The legendary Miki Manojlović, Ivana Roscic, Goran Bogdan and Roko Sikavica played excellent roles in it.

The plot is set in the end of the 80s in Yugoslavia, and a family of three welcomes their beloved gastarbeiter uncle back from Germany to celebrate Christmas together. The family gathers around the table and seems to be enjoying a feast of traditional dishes. The conversation is soon interrupted by the ringing of a smartphone. It becomes apparent that the situation is not what it seems. What is happening, will this Christmas stage turn out not so “merry” and will the outbreak of tension lead to chaos?

– The Uncle forces the family to be happy, day after day, just so he can be emotionally fulfilled. It is the infinite repetition of pursuing perfection, all these elements of tradition and family routines become devices of torture and abuse. Laughter and absurdity, which come from ‘light-hearted’ everyday situations, are transformed into unpleasantness and horror not only for the characters but also for the audience – said Andrija Mardesic about his film.

STRIC | 2022 | 104 min

PRODUCTION: Ivan Kelava, Tomislav Vujic – Eclectica; Sense Production

CAST: Predrag Miki Manojlovic, Ivana Roscic, Goran Bogdan, Roko Sikavica

SCREENPLAY: Andrija Mardesic, David Kapac

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Milos Jacimovic

FESTIVALS & AWARDS (SELECTION)

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, 2022 – Jury Special Mention I Pula Film Festival, 2022 – Golden Arenas for Best Script, Best Costume Design I Dunav Film Fest, 2022 – Grand Prix I Montenegro Film Festival, 2022 – Grand Prix; Best Actor (Miki Manojlovic) I LIFFE – Leskovac International Festival of Film Directing 2022 – Best Actress (Ivana Roscic); Second Award for Directing I Vancouver International Film Festival 2022