During the first half of the summer program we had the opportunity to watch 11 great films of various genres and styles, and at the beginning of August the second part of the program begins, marked by original films and retrospective titles that most of our audience never had the opportunity to see on the big screen. So let's go in order.
On Sunday, August 2, a real treat arrives for fans of the peculiar Jim Jarmusch, but also all the irreparable romantics. It is Jarmusch's fantastic romantic comedy with elements of horror "Only Lovers Left Alive" which tells the story of centuries-old lovers, vampires Adam and Eve. Cursed lovers are played by the irresistible Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, while supporting roles include Anton Yelchin, Mia Wasikowska, Jeffrey Wright and John Hurt. Among the numerous accolades, the award for best soundtrack in Cannes and the special jury award in Sitges stand out.
Already on Thursday, August 6, the last film of the cinematic visionary and ultimate provocateur Lars von Trier, "The House That Jack Bulit" awaits us. The plot of the film takes place through five stories and a span of 12 years in which the failed architect and fierce sociopath Jack tells us in detail the orchestrated murders that define his ‘career’ as a serial killer. Jack is played by the somewhat forgotten Matt Dillon, and Bruno Ganz and Uma Thurman, among others, appear in supporting roles. Again, this is an extremely provocative film that is not intended for viewers with a weak stomach, but which will surely remain in your lasting memory.
Sunday, August 8, is reserved for a witty Swedish adventure with the long name "The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared". Based on Jonas Jonasson’s best-selling novel of the same name, the film tells us an unusual story about a 100-year-old man who decides it’s not too late for another start. For most people, it would be a life adventure, but Allan Carlsson’s unexpected journey is not his first. For a full century the world has been uncertain, and now it is free again. The film is directed by Felix Herngren, and among the numerous festival awards, the audience awards in Chicago and Florida should be singled out, that is, the Oscar nomination in the category of the best make-up and mask.
A special screening is being prepared on Thursday, August 13th. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the film, the local audience will have the opportunity to watch the cult war comedy "MASH" by the great Robert Altman. The story satirically follows the adventures of two military surgeons during the Korean War, with Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould dominating the lead roles. It should be noted that the film produced a long-running successful TV series of the same name, and the prestigious awards include the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, 'Golden Palm' in Cannes, 'Golden Globe' for Best Film in the Best Comedy or Musical category and many others.
Three days later, on Sunday, August 16, the hot summer stage will be cooled by a snow adventure with the picturesque name "Arctic". The story follows a man stuck in the Arctic, who will finally get the long-awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he then has to decide whether to stay in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly journey through the unknown for potential salvation. Directed by debutant Joe Penn, the screen is dominated by the versatile Mads Mikkelsen.
On Sunday, August 23, in cooperation with the 'Festival of Mediterranean Film Split', the acclaimed Polish drama "Corpus Christi" will arrive. The plot of the film follows 20-year-old Daniel who finds God in a youth prison, but due to a criminal record, the church does not allow him to enter the seminary. After serving his sentence, he was sent to a small town where a job in a wood factory awaited him, but thanks to a stolen priest's collar, the locals replaced him with a new pastor. Jan Komase's film won 49 awards and 19 nominations, of which 2 special awards in Venice, the Best Actor Award (Bartosz Bielenia) in Chicago and Palm Springs and the 2020 Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The very end of the month, that is, Sunday, August 30, is reserved for all fans of the legendary Woody Allen, because his "Irrational Man" is coming to the summer stage of Kino Zona. Allen’s romantic comic drama tells us the story of a tormented professor of philosophy who finds the will to live when he commits an existential act. The aforementioned professor is interpreted by the ubiquitous Joaquin Phoenix, while the lovely Emma Stone is in charge of breaking his heart.
September in Kino Zona opens with the classic of Croatian cinema, the brilliant drama "Event" with which we will pay tribute to the great director Vatroslav Mimica, who left us on February 15 at the age of 97. The plot of Mimica's film follows a peasant Jura and his grandson Marijan who went to a cattle fair to sell their evaporated horse to meat producers. On their way home, they were intercepted by local Ivan and his unscrupulous partner, the thief Matijević. This brilliant film is an adaptation of Chekhov's story, and the cast consists of the unforgettable Pavle Vujisić, Boris Dvornik and Fabijan Šovagović. Of the awards, the 'Silver Arena' for the best film in Pula in 1969 should be singled out. The screening will take place on Thursday, September 3.
On Sunday, September 6, the crime drama of the celebrated Dardenne brothers "The Unknown Girl" arrives. The story follows a young general practitioner Jenny who is bitten by guilt for not opening the door of her office to a girl who was found dead shortly afterwards. Jenny is determined to reveal the identity of the unknown girl so as not to be buried anonymously. The Dardenne brothers film has won numerous accolades, most notably the Best Actress Award at the SESC Film Festival in Brazil and the 2016 Palme d'Or nomination.
Four days later, something completely different awaits us. On Thursday, September 10, in collaboration with the Zagreb Film Festival, we will receive the drama "About Endlessness" by the twisted Swedish director Roy Andersson. "About Endlessness" s a reflection of human life in all its beauty and cruelty, its splendor and banality, a kind of kaleidoscope of all that is eternally human, an endless story of the vulnerability of existence. With this unusual film, Andersson won the 'Silver Lion' in Venice as well as the award for best visual effects at the European Film Awards.
We are closing this year's summer stage of the Kino Zona on Sunday, September 13, with Fatih Akin's multi-award-winning crime drama "In the Fade". The plot of this shocking film follows Katja, a woman whose life falls apart the moment her family members are killed in a terrorist attack. Friends and extended family try to give her the support she needs and Katja somehow manages to endure the funeral. The exhausting search for the perpetrators and the reasons behind the senseless murder further complicate her torturous mourning, opening up new wounds and suspicions. The main role in this disturbing film is played by the ever better German actress Diane Kruger, who was awarded the Best Actress Award at Cannes for her extremely demanding role and among other awards, the 'Golden Globe' for the best foreign film should definitely be mentioned.
And that would be all as far as the second half of the Kino Zona summer program is concerned! We note once again that ticket prices for the Zadar open-air cinema remain at 20 kuna, and screenings will be held at 9 pm mostly every Thursday and Sunday in the area between the church of St. Dominic and the Puppet Theater (Poljana Branko Stojaković). Tickets can be purchased every working day from 8 am to 2 pm in the office of the Center for Independent Culture (Zrinsko Frankopanska 3) or at the screening location before the screening. The on-site box office opens at 8 p.m.
* The Kino Zona program is co-financed by the City of Zadar and the Croatian Audiovisual Center, and takes place in partnership with the Zadar Puppet Theater and the Zadar Concert Office.
