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    • NTC Award Ceremony
      New Talent Competition gives young filmmakers from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe the opportunity to present their outstanding debut or second film to the public. Join us on Sunday 1 December at 19h
    • Music at ENFF
      The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival welcomes special musical guests each year to enrich our program. For this 16th edition, we’re thrilled to present two talented young musicians: guitarist Antonio Peršak (CR) and violinist İdil Yunkuş (TR). Together, they will perform a traditional Balkan dance and folk song, highlighting the beauty of this music through the… Read more: Music at ENFF
    • Masterclass with Janez Burger
      This masterclass presents a unique opportunity to explore Burger's distinct storytelling style, genre use, and exploration of contemporary social issues. Join us on Saturday 30 November at 17h - Room 5
    • Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema
      Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema on Friday 29 November at 18h

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