Croatia had been part of Yugoslavia before becoming its own country in 1991. Arsen Anton Ostojić's "Ta divna splitska noć" ("A Wonderful Night in Split" in English) looks at the result. The movie is set during a rock festival in the coastal city of Split. Amid the festivities, there are stories involving a widow, a drug addict, and a couple looking for a way to consummate their relationship. The black-and-white cinematography creates a surreal feeling throughout the entire movie.
Watching the movie, I was reminded of Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train", which features overlapping vignettes centering on a main topic. Much like how Jarmusch's movie looks at the underbelly of Memphis, Ostojić's movie looks at the underbelly of this ancient city on the Adriatic Sea. Is there any city that doesn't have an underbelly?
Anyway, I recommend the movie. I guess that they cast rap artist Coolio (of "Gangsta's Paradise" fame) to add some ethnic diversity. Worth seeing.
Watching the movie, I was reminded of Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train", which features overlapping vignettes centering on a main topic. Much like how Jarmusch's movie looks at the underbelly of Memphis, Ostojić's movie looks at the underbelly of this ancient city on the Adriatic Sea. Is there any city that doesn't have an underbelly?
Anyway, I recommend the movie. I guess that they cast rap artist Coolio (of "Gangsta's Paradise" fame) to add some ethnic diversity. Worth seeing.