Murina: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s Croation Film–2022 Best Films (Women Directors)

Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s Murina


Julija in the ocean
Kino Lorber / Antitalent / Everett

Croatian filmmaker Kusijanović, Murinais a powerful domestic drama set on the stunning shores of the Adriatic.

It’s centered on an inscrutable teenager, Julija (Gracija Filipović), who’s a whiz at spearfishing for eels but a destabilizing presence in her household, clashing with both her father and mother as she yearns for greater independence.

Things change with the arrival of a businessman named Javier (Cliff Curtis), who wants to buy her father’s land.  Julija begins flirting with Javier in an effort to change her provincial existence.

The taut plot benefits from a strong lead performance (another debut), resulting in a gripping melodrama.

 


Julija in the ocean
Kino Lorber / Antitalent / Everett

A sharp debut from the Croatian filmmaker Kusijanović, Murina is a domestic drama set on the stunning shores of the Adriatic.

The film looks gorgeous, its plot is taut, and the lead performance (another debut) is remarkable.