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    • New Talents Open Call
      Eastern Neighbours Film Festival (ENFF) began in The Netherlands in 2008 with the idea to offer Dutch and international audiences a unique glimpse into the cinema of their neighbors from Eastern and Southern Europe. This annual event presents the most recent, exciting, and thought‐provoking films, from countries with small, but often powerful film industries, that… Read more: New Talents Open Call
    • ENFF 2023 On Demand!
      Unable To attend the festival in person? No problem! From November 27th to December 3rd, we’re thrilled to bring you a curated selection of this year’s films available for online viewing! Catch our captivating Opening Film Ivan’s Land, or the touching Closing Film Seventh Heaven. Or explore a collection of shorts from the New Talents Competition! Follow along… Read more: ENFF 2023 On Demand!
    • What’s up in Slovak Cinema? A conversation with Monika Lostakova
      We talked with Monika Lošťáková about contemporary Slovak cinema.
    • ENFF and the Eastern European Film Festival Network!
      The Eastern European Film Festival Network brings together five film festivals dedicated to promoting and showcasing Eastern European cinema, alongside one partner organisation.
    • Masterclasses
      Through these masterclasses we approach two memory in film from different angles: memories from a personal or collective recollection through archive material.
    • Work in Progress
      In Work in Progress, emerging filmmakers and artists will present their works in development to the audience and engage in discussions with Dutch experts.
    • Festival Timetable Available!
    • Check out the catalogue for our 2023 edition!
    • Music at ENFF
      Every year, ENFF brings special musical guests who bring beauty to the program and further represent the rich cultures of their countries to a Dutch audience.
    • Film Marathon
      Join us for the Film Marathon, a new concept in which we merge two components, Short Films, Big Stories, and New Talents Competition into a whole-day screening of short films!

ENFF On Tour: Thriller The Uncle Brings ”Best” Christmas Ever to Utrecht

The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival has just ended, but that doesn’t mean we’re standing still. We are returning to our On Tour screenings with one of the year’s most exciting films – the Croatian psychological thriller THE UNCLE by Andrija Mardesic and David Kapac. You can see it at Louis Hartlooper Complex in Utrecht on December 13 at 19:00 hours and join us for an ENFF cocktail afterward (included in the price).

This dark psychological thriller with elements of farce premiered at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2022 and immediately received a Special Jury Mention. The debut feature film by two young Croatian directors is reminiscent of Haneke’s work, masterfully balancing between the grotesque, black comedy and the tension that can be “cut with a knife”. The legendary Miki Manojlović, Ivana Roscic, Goran Bogdan and Roko Sikavica played excellent roles in it.

The plot is set in the end of the 80s in Yugoslavia, and a family of three welcomes their beloved gastarbeiter uncle back from Germany to celebrate Christmas together. The family gathers around the table and seems to be enjoying a feast of traditional dishes. The conversation is soon interrupted by the ringing of a smartphone. It becomes apparent that the situation is not what it seems. What is happening, will this Christmas stage turn out not so “merry” and will the outbreak of tension lead to chaos?

– The Uncle forces the family to be happy, day after day, just so he can be emotionally fulfilled. It is the infinite repetition of pursuing perfection, all these elements of tradition and family routines become devices of torture and abuse. Laughter and absurdity, which come from ‘light-hearted’ everyday situations, are transformed into unpleasantness and horror not only for the characters but also for the audience – said Andrija Mardesic about his film.

Original Title: Stric Country: Croatia, Serbia Year: 2022 Duration: 104 min Director/Screenplay: Andrija Mardesic, David Kapac Cast: Predrag Miki Manojlovic, Ivana Roscic, Goran Bogdan, Roko Sikavica Cinematography: Milos Jacimovic Editing: Tomislav Stojanovic Production: Ivan Kelava, Tomislav Vujic – Eclectica; Sense Production Subtitles: English Dutch Premiere

Festivals & Awards (selection)

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, 2022 – Jury Special Mention I Pula Film Festival, 2022 – Golden Arenas for Best Script, Best Costume Design I Dunav Film Fest, 2022 – Grand Prix I Montenegro Film Festival, 2022 – Grand Prix; Best Actor (Miki Manojlovic) I LIFFE – Leskovac International Festival of Film Directing 2022 – Best Actress (Ivana Roscic); Second Award for Directing I Vancouver International Film Festival 2022