This independent feature film, written, directed (and also starred in) by Borko Brajovic, released through his film studio Feniks Film, tells the story loosely based on one of the Balkan's folklore tales.
Here, we have a young man called Davor, practicing Tennis, aided by his coach (played by Brajovic), to prep himself up for Championship tour. It all goes well, until one day. He has heard of an urban legend about the haunted well around the woods and, out of curiosity, decides to visit it. One misstep of his begins 7 days of pain and suffering.
His family grows concerned about his disappearance and requests a warrant search for him. Meanwhile, Davor attempts to climb the well a few times (and fails), fights with the rats and experiences various hallucinations while conversing with a skeleton (assumed to be the lady that died in that well) until he was found, nearly dying.
As a cinema buff who has seen plenty of foreign indie films, this was a good start, except that there are things that don't have to be there.
First thing i would address is editing. I've seen a couple of editing errors, example being the very beginning shot starting to fade out, before cutting to the next shot.
Second one would be the use of music. Most of the indie films i've seen have little to no use of music and instead use silence to enhance the atmosphere. The music added in the scene where Davor rides his bike to the store was unnecessary.
The third thing is a comedic bit taking place in the kitchen, which came off as overacting, over the top and forced. I felt it completely derailed the atmosphere of the movie.
Fourth thing is the tennis practice, it's way too long and there is no need for overly dramatic music score. Sounds alone are just fine.
And lastly, the misuse of source material. I did use the term 'loosely', because we all see Davor's experience and we would like to know more about the lady in the well, the background behind her, etc. I think this was one of the things that were missing.
It is evident that Studenac is Borko's movie done with a passion, despite all the flaws that definitely prevent him from reaching potential success. If all the effort is actively taken to tie project tightly with the source material, then it could reach a cult status.
Here, we have a young man called Davor, practicing Tennis, aided by his coach (played by Brajovic), to prep himself up for Championship tour. It all goes well, until one day. He has heard of an urban legend about the haunted well around the woods and, out of curiosity, decides to visit it. One misstep of his begins 7 days of pain and suffering.
His family grows concerned about his disappearance and requests a warrant search for him. Meanwhile, Davor attempts to climb the well a few times (and fails), fights with the rats and experiences various hallucinations while conversing with a skeleton (assumed to be the lady that died in that well) until he was found, nearly dying.
As a cinema buff who has seen plenty of foreign indie films, this was a good start, except that there are things that don't have to be there.
First thing i would address is editing. I've seen a couple of editing errors, example being the very beginning shot starting to fade out, before cutting to the next shot.
Second one would be the use of music. Most of the indie films i've seen have little to no use of music and instead use silence to enhance the atmosphere. The music added in the scene where Davor rides his bike to the store was unnecessary.
The third thing is a comedic bit taking place in the kitchen, which came off as overacting, over the top and forced. I felt it completely derailed the atmosphere of the movie.
Fourth thing is the tennis practice, it's way too long and there is no need for overly dramatic music score. Sounds alone are just fine.
And lastly, the misuse of source material. I did use the term 'loosely', because we all see Davor's experience and we would like to know more about the lady in the well, the background behind her, etc. I think this was one of the things that were missing.
It is evident that Studenac is Borko's movie done with a passion, despite all the flaws that definitely prevent him from reaching potential success. If all the effort is actively taken to tie project tightly with the source material, then it could reach a cult status.
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