Behind the Glass

Directed by Zrinko Ogresta, 2008

Review by Rada Djurica

Sarajevo Film Festival this year hosted Croatian director Zrinko Ogresta and his film Behind the Glass. It is very rare to see a Balkan film that depicts everyday, contemporary life. Ogresta, who is also a professor at the Drama Academy in Zagreb, deals with no Balkan war issues, no war crimes, but only ordinary people. His films are therefore understandable to an audience unfamiliar with Balkan political issues. It is identify with the characters. The film is definitely not a typical Croatian or Balkan film.

Most of the films from the ex-Yugoslavian region that have achieved international festival deliver social or political messages and deal with heavy subjects such as war crimes, politics, massacre and history. Behind the Glass deals with a love triangle, which is not a theme typically seen at big film festivals. But this film will make viewers stay interested, right to the end.

In Behind the Glass, which was the official competition entry at Karlovy Vary and won the Audience Award at the Motovun Film Festival, Ogresta concentrates on a love triangle between Nikola (Leon Lucev), his mistress Ana (Darija Lorenci) and wife Maja (Jadranka Djokic). Jadranka Djokic won the Golden Arena for Best Actress at the Pula Film Festival for the part, which is proof of Djokic's acting ability.

Rather than focusing on current political trends, Behind the Glass focuses on the intimate drama of individuals and their problems, in this case a problem that can be interpreted in a wider social context. While some aspects of the film contribute to a TV-soap feel, it is not. This film is about us, living our life on this mortal coil. In these characters, we can all find ourselves.

Behind the Glass is different Croatian film, which is good news for Croatian film today. The festival prospects here are bright; the film has been invited to Cairo, Rome, Goteburg, Denver and Ghent, which proves the point that it is accessible to a wide audience.