149. Murina; movie review

 

MURINA

Cert 15

96 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, domestic abuse

Gosh, there a lot of images of a young woman's skimpy-swimsuit-clad bottom in Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović's Murina.

Not that I am complaining. I had just seen my footy team defeated when I took in this languid Croatian movie and the sight of Gracija Filipović cheeks were something of a tonic.

And before anyone thinks I have turned rather too dramatically into a dirty old man, watch the movie. Even its poster lures the eye into a particular direction.

Filipović plays flirtatious teenager Julija who lives alone with her parents (Danica Curcic and Leon Lučev) in a beautiful cove on the coast.

For reasons which are never made clear, her father is permanently angry with his daughter and his ire increases as the movie progresses, developing from verbal into physical abuse.

He is under pressure because he is desperate for a deal with a multi-billionaire (Cliff Curtis) to buy a parcel of land which he owns.

Thus, he has set up a party at his home for the businessman and a group of his friends.

He wants everything to be perfect and his beautiful wife dutifully sets up a magnificent spread but as the alcohol is drunk, the wheels begin to come off.

Meanwhile, Julija begins to see the visitor as a way to leave the island for her and her beleaguered mum.

Kusijanović's movie is fabulous on the eye - beautiful people are looking their best in a glorious setting under azure skies.

And the acting is good. Lučev's portrayal as ghastly father is convincing while Filipović's dissenting teenager and Curcic's pliable wife are spot on.

Some may think that little happens but I enjoyed the way in which the drama simmers and it is only a matter of when rather than if it boils over.

Reasons to watch: Simmering drama

Reasons to avoid: Will be too languid for some

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Without training, we can manage about 90 seconds underwater before needing to take a breath. But on 28 February 2016, Spain's Aleix Segura Vendrell achieved the world record for breath-holding, with a time of 24 minutes.

The final word. Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović: "I think the film really surprised us. It’s really had an incredible festival journey, but more importantly, it’s been very well received by audiences. I get a lot of emails from people who aren’t in the film industry about how inspired they were by this story. That really makes me happy." Flickering Myth

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