The Coolidge Corner Theatre

HOW THE WAR STARTED ON MY ISLAND
Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku

Comedy, 1996, HRT, Croatia, 97 MIN
Directed by: Vinko Bresan

Production companies: HRT, Adria Film
Producer: Ivan Mudrinic
Director: Vinko Bresan
Script: Ivo Bresan, Vinko Bresan
Year: 1996
Cast: Vlatko Dulic, Ljubomir Kerekes, Ivan Brkic, Predreg Vouvic - Predjo, Matija Prskalo, Ivica Vidovic, Bozidar Oreskovic, Senka Bulic, Rene Bitorajac, Goran Navojec, Leon Lucev, Etta Bartolazzi, Mladen Vulic, Goran Malus
Croatian (English subtitles)

Synopsis:

Although being one of the first movies to take humoristic approach towards violent break-up of Yugoslavia, this motion picture is partly based on real events that took place in September of 1991. Few months after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia, Federal military installations are still present with previously recruited Croatian boys trapped inside. One such installation is a garrison on a small Dalmatian island, commanded by Major Aleksa Milosavljevic. Besieged by local militia, Major Aleksa threatens to blow up ammunition depots with half an island in case of any hostile action. During the stalemate, art historian Blaz Gajski comes from Zagreb in order to rescue his son from the barracks.

Director's biography:
Vinko Bresan was born in 1964 in Zagreb, Croatia. He holds a degree in philosophy and literature as well as cinematography and TV media. He won a diploma on the International festival of short films in Oberhausen in 1987 with the student film Our Stock Exchange. He has received numerous awards for his films including his short film Our Stock Market, which was awarded at the 34th Westdeutsche Kurtzfilmtage Oberhausen in 1998, and his documentary Lunch for All, which was awarded the title Best Documentary at the Croatian Film Awards in 1994. His debut, a low – budget feature film “How the War Started On My Island”, became, after “Titanic” the best box-office film in Croatian cinemas in the last 20 years. In early 2004, his third film Witnesses achieved international recognition when it was awarded the Jury's Peace Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. His films Marshal Tito’s Spirit and Witnesses were awarded on the festivals in Karlovy Vary and Berlin. He is active as a theatre director as well.

Awards
- Cottbus Film Festival of Young East European Cinema, 1997, Won, Grand Prize - Vinko Bresan

- Pula 1996 (Best director, Best supporting actor, Best Costume design)

- ANONNY 1997 (Best director, Audience award), 1999

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