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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

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.