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Once Were Humans

Desperate to resolve their financial troubles, two friends and business partners get involved in the shady business of stealing a truck – only it’s the wrong one. A film about humanity and the still pressing issue of refugees and migrants in Europe.

Synopsis

Leo, an Italian, and Vucko, a Bosnian, both live in Slovenia and are business partners. They own a restaurant where Leo’s ex-wife works. Leo has a son to support and Vucko, a former refugee, lives with his sick mother. Their troubles begin when the bank refuses to give them the loan to renovate the restaurant. Unable to repay the debt, and faced with losing the restaurant, they go to a swindler Gianni who makes them an offer: steal his truck so that he can get insurance money, and later pay them their share. Under the darkness of the night, Leo makes a wrong move. Leo’s and Vucko’s humanity is put to the test as difficult decisions must be made. A great performance from a team of mixed Slovenian and Bosnian actors.

Screening: Saturday 23 April, 16:45 hours, Zaal 1, Dutch Premiere

Special guest: director Goran Vojnovic

Original Title: Nekoc so bili ljudje Country: Slovenia Year: 2020 Length: 89 min Director: Goran Vojnovic Editing: Ivor Ivezic Cinematography: Milos Srdic Cast: Francesco Borchi, Moamer Kasumovic, Marusa Majer, Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, Boris Cavazza, Jasna Zalica Production: Bostjan Ikovic – Arsmedia; MB Grip, NuFrame, Studio 100, Apapaja Subtitles: English

Director’s Bio

The director and (screen)writer Goran Vojnović (1980) graduated in film and TV directing from the AGRFT. As a writer, he has won the highest Slovenian literature award Kresnik three times and received the prestigious Prešeren’s Fund Award. As a director, Vojnović has made a number of short and two feature films. Chefurs Raus! (2013) won the Best Director Award at the Alexandria FF and the Best Screenplay Award at the SEE FF, while Piran Pirano (2010) received the Best Production Award at the SEE FF and the Dialogue Prize for intercultural communication at the Cottbus FF.