Three carefree teenagers and an unexpected event that turns their lives upside down are at the center of the story of the film "Otter", which is currently being filmed in Podgorica.
That's how the film was presented to the "News" by the screenwriter Stefan Bošković, who was involved in the production, which attracted a lot of attention from the European public even in the project's development phase. It is a feature film directed by Bošković based on his script Srđan Vuletić, and in production Ivan Đurović and the production company Articulation film.
"Vidra" attracted international interest during development by winning the Eurimages award at Cinelink, worth 20.000 euros, as well as "The Best Pitch" award at When East Meets West. The film was also selected for the Cinefondation program Cannes L'Atelier of the prestigious world festival in Cannes - Cannes Film Festival. In addition to the Film Center of Montenegro, the project received the support of the Ministry of Culture of Italy, the Croatian Audiovisual Center (HAVC), the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Sarajevo Canton, the Foundation for Cinematography Sarajevo and the Center for Cinematography Kosovo.
"The 'Atelier' selection of the Cannes Film Festival selects only 15 projects from a large number of those in development each year. The very fact that this, the most important film festival, chose our project actually gives an additional wind at the back... The very fact that you were chosen by the Cannes Festival means that they follow you and your project during development and realization. This later provides a certain advantage when it comes to the film's festival life," director Vuletić said earlier in an interview with "Vijesta" and pointed out that the Cannes Festival has been following their project for a long time.
The film "Otter" is the story of Hana, an introverted teenager who is secretly in love with Balša, a schoolmate and lesser-known member of the "Street Self Defense" site, popular on social networks. Through the character of Hana, the audience will face a complex emotional journey, filled with hope, disappointments, sadness, fighting for oneself and one's attitudes, as well as discovering one's own strength.
"I am extremely happy and grateful that I got the opportunity to work on a project that thematizes self-confidence as an important ingredient for a dignified life in these challenging times, especially since it belongs to the genre of films that promote the empowerment of women's role in society, and that I will collaborate with young, with up-and-coming talents, as well as with established actors from Montenegro", said director Vuletić.
Bošković also pointed out that "Vidra" follows not only teenagers, but also their parents who are all growing up together.
"'Otter' is the screenplay on which I have spent perhaps the greatest number of years when it comes to the practice of screenwriting. One of the reasons is my obsession to write a script for a teenage movie. 'Otter' is not entirely classic coming of age story, because in it, in addition to teenagers who need to grow up, their parents also grow up. At the center of the story are three carefree teenagers and an unexpected event that turns their lives upside down," said Bošković.
Vuletić once said that "Otter" is a story about self-acceptance, which is the problem of the young, but not only the young, but also the problem of the century and the entire society.
In addition to the aforementioned authors, the film crew also includes: the director of photography Philip Toth from Croatia, Ognjen Smolović from Montenegro is in charge of scenography, she worked on costumes Andrea Samardzic from Montenegro, makeup by Nataša Sevnčikar from Slovenia, editor by Vlado Gojun from Croatia, gaffer Marko Vuković from Montenegro. Co-producers are Daniele Segre in front of the Italian company "Redibis film", Katarina Prpić from the Croatian "Izazov 365", Ishak Jaliman in front of the "Realstage" production from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Fatmir Spahi from Kosovo from the production company "Buka production".
It is a curiosity, according to the producers, that the main roles were entrusted to high school girls, and that is how the role of Hana is interpreted Masha Drashler, Balsha Savin Perisic, It's Emily Lara Velimirovic, and Mia plays Mara Rakcevic. In addition to them, the main roles include a young Montenegrin actor Pavle Marković.
Numerous regionally known actors and actresses also play in the film: Nada Vukčević, Marko Janketić, Jelena Laban, Julija Milačić Petrović Njegoš, Stefan Vuković, Aleksandar Gavranić, Davor Dragojević, Fatmir Spahiju, Gresa Pallaska, Goran Brčko Nikčević, Maja Stojanović, Vuk Vučinić and others.
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