Light from the Darkness: “Otter” Opens Competition at SFF

After numerous awards won by the feature film project "Otter" during its development stages, another confirmation of the quality of the film, which was created from the script, has arrived. Stefan Bošković, in directing Srdjan Vuletić, and whose producer Ivan Djurovic from the Montenegrin company “Artikulacija film”. “Otter” begins its life with a world premiere at this year's Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), where it will be shown in the main competition category, at the opening of the selection.

"All serious professionals in our business believe that the Sarajevo Film Festival is currently by far the most important and relevant film festival 'from Austria to Georgia'. In that context, we are extremely happy and proud that our film 'Otter' will have its premiere there. On the other hand, it is also a great business opportunity, considering that it is probably the only festival where professionals from all over Europe and the world come with the idea of focusing on regional cinematography. I hope that they will see something in our film that will attract them," director Vuletić told "Vijesti".

With eight other selected titles in the competitive feature film category, “Otter” will be in the running for the “Heart of Sarajevo” awards for best feature film, best director, best actress and best actor. This year’s 31st edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival will be held from August 15th to 22nd and, like every year, will bring a top-notch and carefully designed program in multiple categories.

"We believe that we have made a very good, interesting and different film, and that is precisely why we are eagerly awaiting the audience's meeting. When we add to that the fact that this year's selection of the competition program is extremely strong, we are even more looking forward to meeting the audience," added Vuletić.

Selector Elma Tataragić, has conceived a repertoire of nine films, three of which, including “Otter”, will have a world premiere, and six films will have a regional premiere. The film “Otter” tells the story of Hana, an introverted teenager who is secretly in love with Balša, a schoolmate and a lesser-known member of the “Street Self Defence” page, popular on social networks, the synopsis reveals.

"Through the character of Hannah, the audience will face a complex emotional journey, filled with hope, disappointment, sadness, the fight for themselves and their attitudes, as well as discovering their own strength," it was announced earlier, and Articulation Film added that "instead of teenage dreams, comes loss, disappointment, and sudden maturation"...

SFF revealed more about the plot itself.

“Reclusive teenager Hana receives an invitation from her crush Balša to go to a lake together to film a solar eclipse. But that morning, Hana’s father dies. He, a top pilot, left a note asking to be buried in a spacesuit. Frustrated by her mother’s inability to stand up to her family who want a traditional burial, Hana runs away from home to the lake, where she realizes that Balša is an aggressive predator. Hana must overcome her consideration and obedience or her fate will be as dark as the darkness of the solar eclipse,” reads the description provided in the Sarajevo Film Festival’s press release.

Screenwriter Bošković previously said that "Otter" follows not only teenagers, but also their parents who, all together, are growing up.

"It's not exactly a classic 'coming of age' story, because in it, in addition to the teenagers who have 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 also added that "Otter" is a story about self-acceptance, which is a problem not only for young people, but also for society as a whole, and also "the problem of the century."

Even during its development, “Otter” attracted international attention, winning the Eurimages award at Cinelink, 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 film received international support from the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Apulia Film Commission, the Croatian Audiovisual Center (HAVC), the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Sarajevo Canton, the Sarajevo Cinematography Foundation, the Kosovo Cinematography Center, and Radio Television of Montenegro RTCG.

Commenting on the work process behind him, director Srđan Vuletić said that it was a very interesting experience, during which he had the opportunity to meet fantastic Montenegrin talents, both actresses and actors, as well as film workers.

"This is a difficult and complex project and it certainly would not have been possible to realize it if everyone had not been up to the task and professional challenges. I would like to thank Stefan Bošković, Ivan Đurović and the Film Center of Montenegro for believing in me as the person who should direct this film," he said.

The film crew is completed by: director of photography Philip Toth from Croatia, Ognjen Smolovic from Montenegro signs the set design, costumes Andrea Samardzic from Montenegro, makeup Natasha Sevcikar from Slovenia, the installer is Vlado Gojun from Croatia, gaffer Marko Vukovic from Montenegro. The co-producers are Daniele Segre i Daniele De Cicco in front of the Italian company "Redibis film", Katarina Prpic i Daniel Peck from “365 film” from Croatia, Ishq Jaliman in front of the production "Realstage" from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Fatmir Spahi from Kosovo from the production company "Buka Production", and as the general director of RTCG and Boris Raonic.

It is curious, the producers pointed out earlier, that the main roles are entrusted to high school girls and high school boys, so Hana is interpreted Masha Drashler, Balsha Savin Perisic, Lara Velimirović is there as Emily, and Miju is played by Mara Rakcevic. In addition to them, the main roles also 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.

And “Yugo Florida” of the Montenegrin “Adriatic Western” at the SFF

Competition Program - Feature Film at SFF, by choice Elme Tataragic, presents nine films, of which three will have a world premiere and six will have a regional premiere in the competition for awards.

In addition to "Otter", which was produced in majority by Montenegro, the selection of feature films also includes the film "Yugo Florida" directed by Vladimir Tagić from Serbia, as a minority Montenegrin co-production, by the company “Adriatic Western.” “Yugo Florida” will also have its world premiere in Sarajevo.

"Zoran's strange and almost meaningless life, which he shares with his roommate and reserved ex-girlfriend, working on a reality TV channel, is turned upside down after his estranged and unbearable father becomes terminally ill, and he decides to take care of him and help him in the last weeks of his life," reads the description of the film, which is a co-production of Serbia, Bulgaria, France, Croatia and Montenegro.

The richness of the region's cultural tapestry

For the “Heart of Sarajevo” awards for best feature film, best director, best actress and best actor, in addition to “Otter” and “Yugo Florida”, the following are in competition: “Stars of Minor Importance” by Renato Olasz, “White Snail” by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, “God Will Not Help” by Hana Jušić, “DJ Ahmet” directed by Georgi M. Unkovski, “Fantasy” by Kukla, “Sorella di Clausura” by Ivana Mladenović and “Winds, Talk to Me” by Stefan Đorđević.

“With nine exceptional films, this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival’s Feature Film Competition presents an impressive and diverse panorama of contemporary regional cinema. The program is a dynamic mix of bold narrative, visual innovation and fresh perspectives that reflect the richness of the region’s cultural tapestry. Highlighting a new wave of filmmakers, the program includes six debut films that bring original voices and bold creative approaches to the big screen. From intimate personal stories to socially relevant dramas, the selection manages to showcase the complexity and vitality of today’s film scene, promising the audience an immersive journey through diverse styles, themes and experiences. This year’s Feature Film Competition is not only a celebration of established talents, but also a platform for new artists ready to shape the future of Balkan and South-Eastern European cinema,” Tataragić said of the complete selection.