The family psychological drama “Murina” by Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović won the extremely prestigious Camera d’Or award (Golden camera), for the best debut film in all categories at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This is the first time since Croatian independence that a Croatian film has been included in the Directors’ Fortnight section, not to mention the most esteemed recognition one Croatian film has won in the last decade.
The decision was quite easy according to French actress Melanie Thierry, the chairwoman of the international jury in charge of the Camera d’or, prior to the film’s co-writer Frank Graziano acceptance of the award at the award ceremony. The world premiere of “Murina” was held in front of a full audience at the Theater Croisette in Cannes, followed by excellent impressions and critics’ reviews.
“Murina” takes place over four days on a Croatian island and was filmed on the islands of Hvar, Kornati and Koločep near Dubrovnik, where Alamat Kusijanović was born and raised. After acquiring a master’s degree in Film and Theater production at the Academy of Fine arts in Zagreb, she turned to directing at Columbia University in the USA. Prior to “Murina”, she directed the short film “Into the Blue”, which won her the awards in Berlin, the Heart of Sarajevo and a nomination for a Student Oscar.
Photo: Love Croatian Film
