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Ljubljana, 25.01.2010

PREMIERE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM TOTAL GAMBIT

Ljubljana, 16.11.2010 On Tuesday, November 16th will be at 9 p.m at TV Slovenia premeire of documentary film TOTAL GAMBIT by director Jan Cvitkovi. Documentary portrait about Albin Planinc is a film about forgotten genius. Albin Planinc spent more that 25 years in total annonimity, although was more than a decade, from late sixties to late seventies of 20th century, one of best chess players. He did not just beat the best players and participate at most elite tournaments, he was according to one of famous sisters Polgar, chess master with biggest imagination in the history of chess. Planinc always played on mate, risking everything and winning some anthological games. If we compare chess with art, then Planinc was an artist among chess players.. In front of us there is an adventure of travel into the deep corners of the soul, where imagination and total paralyses are present. Total gambit is not just a film about chess genious Albin Planinc. It is a film about victims , humans that are sent to march in front of human first lines. Their task is to show us the propriate path, even for the cost of their own lifes. (Jan Cvitkovi about his first documentary film) Director of the film is Jan Cvitkovi, scriptwriters are Mitja ander and Irena Kovaevi, director of photography is Jure ernec, editor is Milo Kalusek, author of music is Damir Avdi. Actor Ludvik Bagari collaborated as impersonality of Albin Planinc. Producers of the film are Miha ernec and Joko Rutar. Boris Kutin, Boris Spaski, Bernard Nemah, Ivo Bajc, Aleksander Beljavski, Vojko Musil, Rajka Smokvina Korbar are some of the witnesses in the film. Film is produced by Staragara Production and Tramal Films in co-production with RTV Slovenia and financial support of Ministry of Culture.

PREMIERE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM TOTAL GAMBIT

On Tuesday, November 16th will be at 9 p.m .at TV Slovenia premeire of documentary film TOTAL GAMBIT by director Jan Cvitkovi. More Ljubljana, 06.10.2010

CIRCUS FANTASTICUS WINNER OF 13TH FESTIVAL OF SLOVENIAN CINEMA

With mix of brutal naturalism and magic poetics Circus Fantasticus opens to the audience completely new view on the war. More Ljubljana, 04.06.2010

NEW DATES OF PEFROMANCE MODUS VIVENDI

We announce new dates of performance MODUS VIVENDI by Magdalena Reiter... More

CIRCUS FANTASTICUS WINNER OF 13TH FESTIVAL OF SLOVENIAN CINEMA

Ljubljana, 06.10.2010 Beside the Vesna awards for the best feature film and best director (Janez Burger), Official Jury awarded Circus fantasticus also with Vesna awards bor best make-up (Alenka Nahtigal), sound (Robert Flanagan), music (Drago Ivanua) and best supporting actor (Ravil Sultanov). With mix of brutal naturalism and magic poetics Circus Fantasticus opens to the audience completely new view on the war. " Scenes with tank and dead bodies on the sandy beach are antological for Slovenian cinema," was written by five member jury in their explication. Kodak Jury awarded Divi Marek for the best photography. For the best feature film was Circus Fantasticus awarded also by jury of Slovenian film critics and publicists. Some photographies from award ceremony (by FPS):

Alenka Nahtigal

Ravil Sultanov

Robert Flanagan

Morgan Bushe, Janez Burger in Joko Rutar

Filip Robar Dorin in Janez Burger

NEW DATES OF PEFROMANCE MODUS VIVENDI

Ljubljana, 4.6.2010 We announce new dates of performance MODUS VIVENDI by Magdalena Reiter. Performaces will be on 12.6.2010 at 8pm in Plesni teater Ljubljana (PTL) and On 21.6.2010 at 7 pm in the frame of Gdansk Dance Festival in Club Zak. Welcome!

FEATURE FILM ARCHEO IN POSTPRODUCTION

Ljubljana, 25.01.2010 Feature film Archeo by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi is currently in postproduction. Shoting of the film was in September and October 2009 on locations in Slovenia and in Friuli Venezia Gulia. Following authors participatied in production: Writer and director: JAN CVITKOVI Director of photography: JURE ERNEC editor: MILO KALUSEK sound recordist: JOE TRTNIK art director: NIKO NOVAK costume designer: BETI NJARI make up designer: LUCIE LIKOVA co-producers: IGOR PRINI, ANDRAS MUHI executive producer: MIHA ERNEC producer: JOKO RUTAR Cast: MEDEA NOVAK, NIKO NOVAK, TOMASSO FINZI Film is produced STARAGARA and co-produced by Transmedia from Italy, Inforg Studio from Hungary and TV Slovenia.

Film is co-financed by: Slovenian Film Fund, Fondo Regionale de Audiovisivo Friuli Venezia Gulia, FVG Film Commision, Hungarian Motion Picture Foundation, Media Programmme of EU Technical support Filmski studio Viba Film Ljubljana Film will be finished in autmn 2010.

photo: Mitja Lien

PREMIERE OF THE PERFORMANCE MODUS VIVENDI

Ljubljana, 23.1.2010 On Saturday 23.1.2010 at 8 p.m. will be a premere of solo performace Modus Vivendi by choreographer and performe Magdalena Reiter. Premiere will be in Kulturni dom panski Borci in Ljubljana. Janez Burger as dramaturgist and Jana Menger as light designer are also included. Performace is produced by STARAGARA. Financial support: Municipality of Ljubljana.

photo: Luka Kae

JAN CVITKOVI SHORT FILM THIS IS EARTH, MY BROTHER IIN CORTO CORTISSIMO COMPETITION
Ljubljana, 08.09.2009 New short film by Jan Cvitkovi THIS IS EARTH, MY BROTHER will be world premiered in section Corto Cortissimo at 66. Mostra Internazionale dArte Cinematografica in Venice

(2.-12.9.2009). Projection of the film will be on 8.9.2009 at 17.00. Jan Cvitkovi will be guest of Venice film festival for third time after sucess with feature film Bread and Milk , he also presented short film Heart is a Piece of Meat. Short film THIS IS EARTH, MY BROTHER was shot last year in two days on locations near Doberdo / Doberdob in Italy. In the Jan Cvitkovi connected film picture with his poetry from book Hungry Animal (Myra Locatelli 2008). According to director this film is jurney o the centre of things. In the production were also involved director of photography Jure ernec, editor Milo sound designer Botjan Kainik ter make up artist Alenka Nahtigal. Producers are Joko Rutar for STARAGARA and Igor Prini for TRANSMEDIA. Actors are Medea Novak, Niko Novak and Tommaso Finzi. Coproducers of film are TRANSMEDIA andARCH PRODUCTION from Gorizia (Italy) and Potemkinove vasi. Film was financially supported by Filmski Sklad republike Slovenije, Fondo regionale per laudiovisivio F.V.G. and sponsor partner KB1909 from Gorizia. Film was shot 16 mm and then transfered to 35 mm. Technical details: Format: 35 mm Running time: 9 min, 25 sec Format : 1:1,85 Sound: Dolby Digital More about festival in Venice: www.labiennale.org

SHOOTING OF FEATURE FILM CIRCUS FANTASTICUS WRAPED

Ljubljana, 15.05.2009 At the end of april was on Ireland wraped the shooting of feature film Circus Fantasticus. Film is international co-production with Staragara Production as delegate producer and coproducers Fastnet Films from Ireland and Cineworks from Finland. Actors of the film were Leon Luev, Pauliina Rasanen, Ravil Sultanov, Luna Mijovi, Rene Bazinet, Daniel Rovai, Yannick Martens, Natalija Sultanova, David Boelee, Slava Volkov, Xauxue Zhanng, Enej Grom, Devi Bragalini and Marjuta Slami. Director of Photography was Divi Marek, Art Director was Vasja Kokalj, Make Up Designer was Alenka Nahtigal, Costume Designer was Alan Hranitelj, Sound Recordist was Robert Flannagan. Film is financially supported by Slovenian Film Fond, Irish Film Board, Finnish Film Fundation, Eurimages and european programme Media. In production there are included also Film Studio Viba Film and TV Slovenija.

Ravil Sultanov

Pauliina Rasanen

Luna Mijovi

Mitja Senur in Janez Burger

Rene Bazinet Photo: Mitja Lien

TWO AWARDS FOR FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS

Ljubljana, 14.05.2009 Short film On the Sunny side of the Alps recived awards for best film and best script on International film Festival Alpi Giulie Cinema 2009 in Trieste.

SHOOTING OF FEATURE FILM CIRCUS FANTASTICUS STARTED

Ljubljana, 24.03.2009 In beginning of March started shooting of feature film Circus Fantasticus by writer and director Janez Burger. Film is international co-production with Staragara Production as delegate producer and coproducers Fastnet Films from Ireland and Cineworks from Finland. In principal cast are Leon Luev, Pauliina Rasanen, Ravil Sultanov, Luna Mijovi and others. Director of Photography is Divi Marek, Art Director is Vasja Kokalj, Make Up Designer is Alenka Nahtigal, Costume Designer is Alan Hranitelj, Sound Recordist is Robert Flannagan. Film is financially supported by Slovenian Film Fond, Irish Film Board, Finnish Film Fundation, Eurimages and european programme Media. In production there are included also Film Studio Viba Film and TV Slovenija.

EURIMAGES, IRISH AND FINNISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FEATURE FILM CIRCUS FANTASTICUS
Ljubljana, 18.12.2008 Feature film CIRCUS FANTASTICUS by writer and director Janez Burger in production of STAREGARA was in collaboration with co-producer FASTNET FILMS from Dublin financially supported by Irish Film Board. Finish minor co-producer CINE WORKS from Helsinki was financially supported by Finnish Film Foundation. All mentioned partners were also financially supported by Council of Europe co-production fund EURIMAGES. Production of mentioned film was previously financially and technically supported also by Slovenian Film Fund, Film studio Viba Film and TV Slovenia. The development of the mentioned project was co-financed by EU programme Media Plus.

SHORT FILM I KNOW IS BEST SLOVENIAN SHORT, ALENKA NAHTIGAL AWARDED WITH VESNA FOR BEST MAKE UP IN TV FILM SONJA
Ljubljana, 26.10.2008 With award ceremony was on Saturday October 25 th closed 11 th Festival of Slovenian Cinema in Portoro. Short film I KNOW by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi was awarded with Vesna award for Best Short Film according to Festival Jury. Make- Up Artist Alenka Nahtigal was awarded with Vesna Award for Best Make-Up for TV Sonja by director Janez Burger.

JAN CVITKOVI PRESENTED HIS BOOK OF POETRY HUNGRY ANIMAL

Portoro, 24.10.2008 On Friday October 24 th Jan Cvitkovi presented his first book of poetry Hungry Animal. Hungry Animal presents Jan Cvitkovi as writer of ordinary moments, that first freeze in moveless bouquete nad than poetically open themselve in all metaphisics. Editor Zdravko Dua from publishing house Myra Locatelli also attended the presentation.

FIRST REHERSEALS FOR FEATURE FILM CIRCUS FANTASTICUS

Ljubljana, 13.10.2008 First reherseals for feature film Circus Fantasticus by Janez Burger started. Some photos:

Team: director Janez Burger, Urs Jaeckle, Pauliina Rasanen, Slava Volkov, Natalia Sultanova, Ravil Sultanov (from left to right)

Ravil Sultanov

Hand Stand Pauliina Rasanen and Slava Volkov

David Boelee

Circus director Urs Jaeckle observes reherseal Photos by: Nejc Saje

SHORT FILM I KNOW ON FESTIVAL TOUR

Ljubljana, 12.10.2008 Short film I KNOW by writer and director Jan Cvitkivi will in October circle around the world. In the beginning of October was presented at IFF in Pusan, South Corea. Film will be presented also on festivals in Warshaw, Poland and Zagreb, Croatia. After Slovene premiere at Kinodvor in Ljubljana, will be film screened on 24th of October atn Slovenian Film festival in Portoro. At the end of October will be North American premiere of film at the Chicago Intl. Film Festival, followed by South American Premiere at Mar del Plata Film Festival in the beginning of November.

AWARD FOR SHORT FILM 'I KNOW' ON SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL

Ljubljana, 28.8.2008 Short film I KNOW (VEM) by Jan Cvitkovi recived award on his first competition festival special jury mention. International Jury for short films gave to film I KNOW Special Jury Mention Award. Members of the Jury were Michael J. Warner, copresident of world sales company Fortissimo films, Bosnian artist ejla Kamenari and Jay Jeon, programme director of Pusan Film Festival. Sarajevo film festival is the most important and influential film festival on the territory of Ex- Yugoslavia. Film will be in next two months presented at film festivals in Oldenburg (GermanyWarshaw (Poland), Pusan (South Corea) and Chicago (USA).

SHORT FILM 'I KNOW' IN LOCARNO AND SARAJEVO

Ljubljana, 31.7.2008

The new short film I KNOW, by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi, will be internationally premiered in sections Here and Elsewhere and Leopards of Tomorrow at the 61 st film festival in LOCARNO (616 August). The film will be shown on 10 August at 23:30 at Piazza Grande, the most prestigious festival venue which is considered one of the biggest open-air film venues in general since it can accommodate over 8,000 viewers. Locarno Film Festival is one of the most important festivals in the world. In the same week the film will be shown in the international competition for short films at the 14 th Sarajevo Film festival (15-23 August). The short film I KNOW was filmed last year; it was filmed on four locations in Kopriva on Karst, on Planinsko polje and the Nanos mountain. The film features a man who builds a masterpiece in his basement. A woman and a child watch him. There is a god above them all, watching them. The statement of writer and director Jan Cvitkovi: This is my first film which I think is perfect. I wouldnt want to add anything or change anything. This film talks about everything. The crew who created the film is: Jan Cvitkovi, writer and director, Jure ernec, director of photography, Milo Kalusek, editor, Niko Novak, screenplay, Beti Njari, costume designer, Jurij Zornik, sound designer and Lija Ivani, make-up desiger. Miha ernec was in charge of executive production, the producer of the film is Joko Rutar for the production house STARAGARA. The actors are Niko Novak, Medea Novak and Miha Guli. Co-producers for this film were INFORG STUDIO from Budapest and Slovene co-producers Potemkinove vasi, Iluzija d.o.o., Vizualni laboratorij, Tramal Films and Studio 100 d.o.o. The film was shot in HD technique and transformed to 35mm format. more about film

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS AT KARLOVY VARY FILM FESTIVAL

Ljubljana, 8.7.2008 Short film ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS by Janez Burger will be presented at 43 rd film festival in Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic). Film will be presented out of competition in the section East of West. Projections will be on 11 th of July at 19.30 in Theatre Karlovy Vary and on 12 th of July at 10.30 in Cinema Lazne III.

GRAVEHOPPING AT ITALIAN CINEMAS

Ljubljana, 4.7.2008 At the beginning of July started theatrical distribution of feature film GRAVEHOPPING (2005) by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi. Cvitkovi was also guest in the film TV show CINEMATOGRAFO, transmited by RAI UNO and led by legendary Gigi Marzullo.

AUDITIONS FOR FEATURE FILM CIRCUS FANTASTICUS IN BERLIN AND PARIS

Ljubljana, 14.4.2008 Director Janez Burger will have audition for circus artists in feature film CIRCUS FANTASTICUS in Berlin in Paris. Between April 14 th and April 19 th will be audition in Berlin, followed by audition in Paris between April 22 nd and April 29 th . Production of feature film CIRCUS FANTASTICUS is co-financed by Slovenian Film Fund. Delaegate producer is STARAGARA, in cooperation with co-producers from Poland, Netherlands and Croatia.

DOCUMENTARY FILM 300 BEARDED WAS SCREENED AT TV SLOVENIJA

Ljubljana, 09.04.2008 Documentary film by director Zoran Grabarac has premeire on Tuesday 8th of April on TV Slovenija.

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS TOURS FESTIVALS

Ljubljana, 26.2.2008 The short film by writer and director Janez Burger 'On the Sunny Side of the Alps' was selected for the International Film Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria; it will be shown in the section Best Balkan Short Films between 6th and 16th March.

It will also be shown at the festival EX-YU FEST in Montenegro, between 3rd and 8th of March. At the International Film Festival Corto in Bra, Piemonte, Italy the film 'On the Sunny Side of the Alps' will be shown in competition programme; 12-16 March 2008. The film was selected for the international competition programme of the Paris Tout Court Festival, France, which takes place between 11 th and 18 th of March. It will also be shown at the Festival Diagonale 2008, Graz, Austria, 1 - 6 April, and at the 5th International Festival Amakula Kampala in Uganda, which takes place between 1st and 11 th of May 2008.

SLOVENE PREMIERE OF DANCE PERFORMANCE 36,5C

The Slovene premiere of dance performance 36,5C by choreographer Magdalena Reiter and dancers of the Polish Dance Theatre will take place on Monday 28th February at 20.00 at the Linhart Hall of the Cankarjev dom cultural centre, Ljubljana. Additional information about the performance and a video of the performance can be viewed at: http://www.cd-cc.si/default.cfm?Jezik=Sl&Kat=0203&Predstava=527 http://www.staragara.com/en/odrska/?v=365c#1

SPECIAL MENTION FOR FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS IN TRIESTE
Ljubljana, 01.02.2008 Film ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS by Janez Burger recives Short Film Jury Special Mention Award at 19th Alpe Adria Cinema Festival in Trieste for the witty mixture of absurd humour and ironical comment on nationalistic stereotypes of contemporary politics.

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS IN TRIESTE, ROTTERDAM, DHAKI, REUS, SETUBAL
Ljubljana, 15.1.2008 The short film On the Sunny Side of the Alps, directed by Janez Burger, was selected for the short film competition programme of Alpe Adria Cinema - Trieste Film Festival which will take place between 17th and 24th January in Trieste, Italy. The film will be shown on 21st January at 8 p.m. At the 37th Rotterdam International Film Festival, held from 23rd January to 3rd February 2008, the film is in competition for the Prix UIP award. Prix UIP is an award for short films, being awarded by the European Film Academy and United International Pictures in cooperation with fourteen European festivals. The film will be shown in competition programme at the 10th International Short and Independent Film Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Festival takes place between 14th and 22nd February 2008. At the European Short Film Festival in the city of Reus, Spain, taking place between 5th and 16th March 2008, the short film On the Sunny Side of the Alps will be shown in the competition programme of European films. In June 2008 the film will travel to Festroia International Film Festival, Setubal, Portugal, where it will be shown in the section dedicated to the European Year of Emigration and Intercultural Dialogue, between 6th and 15th June 2008.

CIRCUS FANTASTICUS IN THE SUNDANCE FINALS, SLOVENE FILM FUND TURNS IT DOWN AGAIN
Portoro, 16.11.2007 The Sundance Institute published the news that the screenplay for the feature film Circus Fantasticus, written by Janez Burger, is now in the finals as a nominee for the prestigious Sundance/NHK Script Award. The other two finalists from Europe are the screenplay by the Bosian & Herzegovian director Jasmila bani, whose film Grbavica won the Golden Bear at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, and the screenplay by the Romanian director Radu Jude. At the same time the production house STARAGARA was notified that the Slovenian Film Fund turned down the project Circus Fantasticus again, with the following explanation: Although the screenplay shows great potential and indicates strong film images, these are, however, in certain segments at this phase at the stage of indicated non-verbal communication and thus not convincing for the jury. Considering the possibilities offered in the exposition we suggest further development of the material.

The statement of Joko Rutar, the producer of the production house STARAGARA, was the following: We are aware that we are preparing a visually and narratively powerful film and the success of the project on the international level proves that. Namely, the project was presented at the Sarajevo Film Market where it attracted a co-producer Isabella Films from Amsterdam. Their reference includes the films Dancer in the Dark, Manderlay and Dogville by director Lars von Trier, films by Thomas Vinterberg, Aleksander Sokurov etc. Their producer Els Vandervorst is also a member of the Board of the European Film Aacademy. The film was also presented at the Film Market CentEast in Warsaw where a coproduction agreement was signed with the most successful Polish production house Opus Film from Lodz. The project was awarded for its originality at the script workshop Balkan Fund which was organised as part of the Thessaloniki Film Festival. The project was presented at the Berlinale Co-production Market which is one of the most important events of this kind in the world. And last but not least, the project has just got into finals as a nominee from Europe for the Sundance / NHK Script Award. Apart from that, one of the partners in the production of this film is also the Croatian co-producer Propeler Film from Zagreb. All this proves that Circus Fantasticus is a highly ambitious project which has been developed for some years now. Therefore, we are, to put it mildly, surprised by the instruction given by the Slovenian Film Fund to continue with the development of the material although we have been doing this for three years now. The exceptional potential of the project was after all acknowledged also by the European Commission which granted support for the project from its Media fund. We are wondering how despite all these international awards and recognition, the originality of the screenplay does not convince the screenplay professionals in Slovenia. When told about the situation related to Burger's project at the Slovenian Film Fund, the director of the Sundance Institute Alesia Weston addressed a letter to the Film Fund in which she wrote: We are immensely impressed by the economy and artistry of the script Circus Fantasticus. His work, including his films Idle Running, Ruins, and On the Sunny Side of the Alps, demonstrate a deeply personal directorial voice and unique storytelling approach. We believe that Circus Fantasticus will confirm Mr. Burgers unique style and establish him as one of the most exciting directors to emerge, not only from Slovenia, but from the new generation of filmmakers from Europe. We have no doubt that his talent and creativity, as well as his competence as a writer-director will lead to a wonderful realization of the project and hope you will extend your support to him for this venture. The director Janez Burger commented: In view of the fact that the Film Fund with Igor Prodnik as it's director has become a true phenomenon in international film arena, we could start selling it. Alongside Postojna Cave, Lipizzan horses, Bled etc. we could promote Slovenia with our Film Fund which is a unique institution of this kind in the world an institution destroying national cinematography with the taxpayers' money. Apart from that, the Ministry of Culture headed by Vasko Simoniti became a unique physical phenomenon it is sliding back in time. Currently it slid back to the 1950s the time of the iron-hand-Stalinism and if it continues down the same path, it will soon reach the Stone Age. And so will Slovenian culture with it.

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS IS THE BEST SLOVENIAN SHORT FILM
Portoro, 14.10.2007 Short film On the Sunny Side of the Alps was on 10th Slovenian film festival awarded with Vesna Award for the best short film among 10 competing short films.

SUPPORT FOR THE EUROPEAN PROGRAMME MEDIA FOR THE FEATURE FILM ARHEO
Ljubljana, 4.10. 2007 On 2nd October the development of the project Arheo by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi was included in the support programme for the development of projects of the EUuropean fund Media. The feature film project Arheo has been developed by Staragara production company, Ljubljana. Inforg Studi Budapest is acting as a co-producer in the project.

ODGROBADOGROBA STARTED DISTRIBUTION IN CZECH REPUBLIC

Ljubljana, 3.10. 2007 On Saturday 29 September 2007 the film Gravehopping started regular cinema distribution in Czech Republic. The premiere ceremony at the legendary Prague cinema Svetozor was attended also by writer and director Jan Cvitkovi. In the following two months the film will visit 60 Czech cities; it was also selected as one of nine best new Central European films chosen for distribution by the Association of Czech Film Clubs. Gravehopping is in cinema distribution in Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Hungary. The film was bought for cinema distribution also in Italy, Austria, Norway, Finland and Bulgaria, but hasn't come to cinemas yet.

Its cinema distribution finished in Spain where it was also released on DVD, in subtitled and dubbed versions.

36,5C A NEW PERFORMANCE BY MAGDALENA REITER

Ljubljana, 2.10. 2007 Preparations for the new performance by choreographer Magdalena Reiter, with the title 36,5 C, are under way in the Polish city of Poznan. The performance will be premiered on 19 October 2007 in Poland; the Slovene premiere will follow at the end of February next year in the Linhart Hall of the Cankarjev dom, Cultural and Congress Centre. The choreographer Magdalena Reiter invited dancers of the Polish Dance Theatre Poznan Ballet, with the guest Johnny Popiel, to join her for this performance. The Polish Dance Theatre is the most well-known and also internationally renowned contemporary dance theatre in Poland. The Dramaturg of this performance is Janez Burger, Costume Designer Alan Hranitelj, Light Designer Arkadiusz Kuczynski. The music used in the performance is by Boleslawa Pietraszkiewicza, Giacomo Puccini ("Tosca") and Wlodzimierz Korcza ("Ogrej me"). The performance is being made in co-production of Staragara production company, Polish Theatre Tanca and Cankarjev dom, Cultural and Congress Centre, with financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Culture of Poland and City Municipality of Ljubljana.

CIRCUS FANTASTICUS AWARD NOMINATION AT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Ljubljana, 1.10. 2007 The Sundance Institute notified director Janez Burger that his project Circus Fantasticus was selected for the semifinals with three other films from Europe. The project was chosen among more than a hundred projects. The Sundance Festival was founded in 1991 and is the largest independent film festival in the USA. As regards its importance and influence it is ranked with the festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Toronto. Robert Redford has been its patron and director for years; he also named the festival after the character Sundance Kid he acted in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

SLOVENE PREMIERE OF THE FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS

Ljubljana, 24.9. 2007 The short feature film ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS, written and directed by Janez Burger, will have its Slovene first time screening at the Festival of Slovene film in Portoro on 9 October 2007 at 21.30. The theatre premiere will be on 15 October 2007 at 20.10 at the Kinodvor Cinema where it will be shown in regular distribution. The film will be shown in the competition programme at the Zagreb International Film Festival, which will take place from 21 - 27 October 2007. It will also be shown at the Warsaw International Film Festival, from 12 - 21 October 2007.

INTERVIEW WITH JAN CVITKOVI FOR CINEMA WITHOUT BORDERS

Ljubljana, 23.9. 2007 Cinema Without Borders website published an interview with writer and director Jan Cvitkovi. Find it on: http://www.cinemawithoutborders.com/news/138/ARTICLE/1351/2007-09-10.html

PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHOOTING OF THE FILM 'DRIVING SCHOOL'

Ljubljana, 16.9. 2007 Director and scriptwriter Janez Burger has been preparing for the shooting of the new film 'Driving school'. 'Driving school' is a drama which unfolds between two people: an Instructor and a Candidate. This is a minimalist study of a relationship between a man and a woman in contemporary society. The story covers the time span from the moment when the Instructor and the Candidate first meet to the moment the Candidate fails to pass the driving test.

Driving school is a film which is trying to answer the following question: has there, among all the nonsense of contemporary world, under piles of banality and disturbing factors which constantly burry us under their burden, sit on our psyche and stifle all emotions has there, under all this junk that has been piling up for years, survived that something we could call love? And if it survived, what has it been feeding on all this time? Rehearsals start in October 2007; the shooting will take place in spring 2008. Pavle Ravnohrib and Silva uin acting the main roles.

WORLD PREMIERE OF SHORT FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS

Ljubljana, 16.8. 2007 Short film ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE ALPS by writer and director Janez Burger will be world premiered at the competition programme of short film at Sarajevo film festival (17.8.26.8.2007). Film tells story of two typical Slovenian families, living in Alpine idyill until neighbour buys new car. Film was produced by Staragara, co-produced by TV Slovenija and cofinanced by Slovenian Film Fund. Authors: Director of photography: Simon Tanek Art director: Niko Novak Editor: Milo Kalusek Make up artist: Alenka Nahtigal Costume designer: Alan Hranitelj Sound recording and editing: Gaper Loborec, Botjan Kainik Music: Drago Ivanua, Ansambel bratov Avsenik Producer: Joko Rutar Actors: Father: Ibrahim Nouham Son: Kany Michel Obenga neighbour: Samuel Camara Competition projection of the film will be on Saturday August 18th AT 22.15H at National theatre. Industry screening will be on Firday August 24th at 12h in festival centre. Director Janez Burger and producer Joko Rutar will attend the festival. More on: www.nasoncnistranialp.com

photo: Luka Kae

FINISHED SHOOTING OF SHORT FILM MASTERPIECE

Ljubljana, 16.8. 2007 Staragara in coproduction with Potemkinove vasi and Vizualni laboratorij finished shooting of Jan Cvitkovi new short film Masterpiece. Film was shot at the Karst region of Slovenia.

photo:Matej Mlja

SHOOTING OF THE TV FILM 'SONJA FINISHED

Ljubljana, 16.8. 2007 The shooting of the TV film 'Sonja' at the Primorska region of Slovenia finished. The writer of the screenplay, an adaptation of a short story by Milan Kle, is Janez Burger, who also directed the film. The film is a co-production of Radio-Television Slovenia and Staragara production company. The actors are Jana Zupani, Primo Pirnat, Olga Kacjan, Pavle Ravnohrib, Vojko Zidar, Saa Tabakovi, Jette Ostan Verjup, Janez kof, Gregor uin and others. Director of photography is Bojan Kastelic, set was designed by Vasja Kokelj and Andra Trkman, costume design by Alan Hranitelj, make-up artist was Alenka Nahtigal. Film is edited by Milo Kalusek, author of original music is Drago Ivanua. Film was shot in HD technology.

photo: Kaja Trkman

CIRCUS FANTASTICUS AT BERLINALE CO-PRODUCTION

MARKET
Ljubljana, 9.2. 2007 Project Circus Fantasticus, by writer and director Janez Burger, will be between 10th and13th of February, presented at Berlinale co-production market. Market works at the frame of Berlinale Film Festival. Project Circus Fantasticus is in the selection of 37 projects. Project will be presented by writer and director Janez Burger and producer Joko Rutar. Berlinale co-production market is second biggest coproduction event in the world. Project Circus Fantasticus was already successfully presented at Cinelink in Sarajevo, Cent east in Warsaw and Balkan Fund in Thessaloniki. Development of project is supported by Media Plus and Slovenian Film Fund. More on: http://www.berlinale.de/en/filmmarkt/co-production_market/01_profil/index.html

PREMIERE OF MONOCOMEDY PENIS MONOLOGUE

Ljubljana, 9.2. 2007 On Friday 9th of February monocomedy Penis Monologue will be officially premiered at Caffe of hotel Union in Ljubljana. Show is directed by Simona Jeelnik and performed by Jernej Kuntner. Perofrmance is made under motives of Flamish novel De Penis monoloog by Nigel Williams and Peter Percival.

STARAGARA PRODUCTION COLLECTS AWARDS

Ljubljana, 22.11.2006 On recently finished script development workshop of Balkan Fund in the frame of International film festival in Thessaloniki , CIRCUS FANTASTICUSby writer and director Janez Burger, recived Special Jury Mention award. Members of Jury were german producer Roman Paul, fraench producer edomir Kolar, director of british New Cinema Fund Lenny Crooks, editor in chef at broadcaster Channel 4 Peter Carlton ter CEO of Balkan Fund Chirstina Callas. 12 projects from Slovenia, BiH, Srbia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey was presented. Jury was satisfied with presentation of the project by writer and director Janez Burger and producer Joko Rutar. They wrote that this is magical, highly ambitious project that passed the phase of script development and it is prepared for realization. Collecting of the awards proceeddes also feature film by Jan Cvitkovic GRAVEHOPPING. On the festival Noordelijk film recives best film award by Students Jury. This is 23 award for the film

GRAVEHOPPING IS COLLECTING AWARDS

Ljubljana, 23.10.2006 Film Gravehopping by director Jan Cvitkovi again recives new awards. On the international film festival TOFFI in polish town Torun film recived 2 new awards. Festival Jury awarded film Gravehopping with Special Jury Award. Beside this, film recived also Zygmund Kaluynski Award . The award goes to a director whose film is chosen by the Jurors and will honour a selected, extraordinary - from the point of view of film art element of a made out film: a capture, a scene or a musical or visual motive. The last, funeral scene with car in: "Odgrobadogroba" dir. Jan Cvitkovic Mentioned awards are already 20th and 21st for Gravehopping. More about festival: http://www.toffi.filmforum.pl/

THREE AWARDS FOR GRAVEHOPPING AT FILM FESTIVAL IN PECS HUNGARY

Ljubljana, 9.10.2006 Film GRAVEHOPPING directed by Jan Cvitkovi recived on film festival in hungarian city Pecs 3 awards. Festival Jury awarded Gregor Bakovic with Best Main Actor Award and Simon Taek wit Award for best photography. Film was also recived Public Choice Award for best film. Gravehopping will also start theatre distribution In Hungary soon. More about festival: http://www.filmunnep.hu/eindex.html

SHOOTING OF SHORT FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF ALPS FINISHED

Ljubljana, 1.10.2006 In surunding of Kranjska gora was finished the shooting of short film On the sunny side of

Alps, directed by Janez Burger. Story about problems between two slovenian families was mainly shot in Julian Alps. Shooting started at the top of highest slovenian mountain Triglav and finished in the valley of ski jumping Hills Planica. Director of photography was Simon Tanek, art director was Niko Novak, make up artist war Alenka Nahtigal and costume designer was Alan Hranitelj. Film was produced by Joko Rutar for Staragara Production. Main artor roles were played by Ibrahim Nouhoum and Kany Obenga.

GRAVEHOPPING SLOVENIAN CANDIDATE FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE OSCAR AWARD

Ljubljana, 14.9.2006 Yesterday Association of Slovenian Filmmakers announced that Slovenian candidate for foreign language Oscar Award is feature film Gravehopping by writter and director Jan Cvitkovi. Jury wrote that film brings to the public all the diversity and colourity of human characters, what is not ofter in slovenian films.

SHOOOTING OF THE SHORT FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF ALPS STARTS

Ljubljana, 13.9.2006 On Wednesday 13th of September starts on the top of highest slovenian mountain Triglav shooting of short film On the sunny side of Alps by writter and director Janez Burger. In the plan are 10 shooting days till 25th of September.

MEDIE PLUS SUPPORT FOR PROJECT CIRCUS FANTASTICUS

Ljubljana, 1.9.2006 Production house Staragara recived Media Plus support for development of the feature film project CIRCUS FANTASTICUS by writter and director Janez Burger. Support in the sum of 40.000 euros is for development of the project.

IMPORTANT PRESENCE OF STARAGARA PRODUCTION ON SARAJEVO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Ljubljana, 3.8.2006 Production house Staragara will be strongly presented on this year's film festival in Sarajevo. Director Jan Cvitkovi will be member of mail international jury for feature films. Beside him in jury will be also bosnian directress Jasmila bani, Wouter Barendrecht, founder of Fortissimo Film Sales, Kim Dong-ho, director of Pusan International Film Festivala (Korea) and Jrme Paillard, director of Marche de Cannes (France). In section Regional off will be presented Cvitkovi's film GREAVEHOPPING (ODGROBADOGROBA). Director Janez Burger in producer Joko Rutar will be participants of project development programme CINELINK. They will present Burger's new feature film project CIRCUS FANTASTICUS, which willbe presented to potencial partners and will together with other ten projects from region compete for 3 equal awards in sum of 10.000 euros for project development. More on: www.sff.ba

JAN CVITKOVI MEMBER OF JURY IN LOCARNO

Ljubljana, 2.8.2006 Director Jan Cvitkovi was invited in jury which gives award Leopard of Future on international film festival in Locarno Schwitzerland.. Together with him, will be members of short fil jury also israeli actress Clara Khoury, german greek producer Thanassis Kharatanos, swiss distributor Jose Dubey and Section Head, Coopration a la Direction des Affaires Europennes et Internationales du Centre National de la Cinmatographie, France Jacqueline Ada. More on : www.pardo.ch

GRAVEHOPPING BEST FILM IN PALI

Ljubljana, 21.7.2006 Jan Cvitkovi recives on 13. european film festival in Pali Srbia Award Golden Tower for best film in competition.section of festival. In competition were 12 films. Members of main festival Jury were serbian actres Neda Arneri, hungarian director Benedek Fligauf, german director Dietrich Bruggemann, austrian actress Franziska Weisz ans serbian director Sran Koljevi. Jury wrote: GOLDEN TOWER for the best film of the European Film Festival Palic 2006., is awarded to the film GRAVEHOPPING directed by Jan Cvitkovic, (Slovenia, Croatia), for the original

combination of human and philosophic aspects in telling the stories of our unordinary ordinary lives. More on festival: www.palicfilmfestival.com

TWO AWARDS FOR GRAVEHOPPING AT PORTUGAL

12.6.2006 Jan Cvitkovi recived on 22nd film festival FESTROIA in portugese city Setbal two awards. Fim Gravehopping recived silver dolphin - Special Jury Award and Award CICAE Jury. CICAE is international confederation od art cinemas. In competition were 14 films, members of main festival jury were serbian actor Slavko timac, greek film professional Voula Georgakakou , indian director Sandip Ray, director of Ljubljana film festival Jelka Strgel , portugese film directors Fernando Vendrell and Luis Felipe Costa and portugese actress Io Appolloni. After award ceremony director Jan Cvitkovi stated that he is happy for each award, specially for award of CICAE, which ables film to be presented in the wide range of art cinemas network. More about awards: www.festroiablog.com/jornal/edicao10.pdf More about festival: www.festroia.pt/

PROJECT CIRCUS FANTASTICUS IN CINELINK

9.5.2006 Feature film project CIRCUS FANTASTICUS by writer and director Janez Burger was selected in most prominent programme for development in South Easter Europe CINELINK. Cinelink is organised in the frame of Sarajevo International Film Festival and has two workshops and final presentation during the festival in august. This year 11 film projects from 9 'Balcan' countries were selected. More on: http://www.sff.ba/eng/

SHORT FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF ALPS IN PREPRODUCTION

9.5.2006 Production house STARAGARA is preparing shooting of short film On the sunny side of Alps by writer and director Janez Burger. Film will be shot in the first part of September and is co-financed by Slovenian Film Fund.

JOKO RUTAR IS SLOVENIAN PRODUCER ON THE MOVE

9.5.2006 Producer Joko Rutar was selected as slovenian representative in iniciative of European Film Promotion PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE. All 22 selected producers will be presented in large promotion campaign during Cannes film festival. More on: http://www.efp-online.com/cms/potm/index_e.html

NEW AWARD FOR FILM GRAVEHOPPING

20.3.2006 Jan Cvitkovi Jrecived on 10th international film festival in Sofia, Bulgaria award No Man's Land for best balkan film acoording to Jury of Bulgarian film critiques. Award was given by reputated bulgarian wine cellar No Man's land and beside diploma also consist a cartoon of wine. Film was presented in Balkan Film Showcase Section.

Two awards for Graveopping in Khanty Mansysk

7.3.2006 Jan Cvitkovi recived on 4th film festival Spirit of fire in syberian town Khanty Mansysk two awards. Award Silver Tayga for second best film of festival competition and Special Jury Award for most impressive film scene. President of Jury was japanese actress Komaki Kurihara. Film was warmly welcomed by local audience.

GRAVEHOPPING on European Film Market in Berlin

6.2.2006 Award winning film of director Jan Cvitkovic will be presented on European Film Market in Berlin, that takes place together with Berlinale film festival. Screenings will be on: Friday 10 th of February at 20.00 in CinemaxX 2 and Tuesday 14 th of February at 17.30 in CinemaxX 2.

GRAVEHOPPING in year 2005

Film GRAVEHOPPING was in year 2005 premiered and presented on 12 festivals and recived following awards: San Sebastian (Spain) Altadis best first and second film award Warshaw (Poland) award CentEast Cottbus (Germany) award for best film of the festival and award of ecumenical jury Torino (Italy) award for best film of the festival and award for best script Ljubljana (Slovenia) special jury mention Portoro (Slovenia) - vesna award for best feature film, vesna award for best side actress (Sonja Savi), vesna award for best side actor (Drago Milinovi) Beside above mentioned festivals film was presented also on festivals in Pusan (South Korea), London (Great Britain), Zagreb (Croatia), Sevilla (Spain), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Cinematografic premiere in Slovenia was on 17.11.2005 and till the end of the year film obtained more than 13 thousand admissions. Film was also in the selection of 46 films, who compete for nominations for European film awards.

Warm welcome for GRAVEHOPPING in Rotterdam

5.2.2006 Film GRAVEHOPPING was on 35th international film festival in Rotterdam warmly accepted by audience. With average 4,34 was placed on 10th place among 164 evaluated feature films. Highest score was recived by germn film Eden. More on: www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com

GRAVEHOPPING in Rotterdam
26.1.2006 Film GRAVEHOPPING will be on 35th international film festival in Rotterdam presented in section Time and Tide.Projecions of film will be on 2nd , 3rd and in 4th of February. Beside this film GRAVEHOPPING was in January presented at festival Mittelmeer Filmtage in Munich (Germany) and in competition of festival in Tromso on Norvay. In February will be film presented on European Film Market in Berlin, which is organised parallel with Berlin Film Festival.

GRAVEHOPPING is best slovene film

5.12.2005 At 8th Slovene film festival in Portoro recived film Gravehopping Award Vesna for best feature film. Beside main award Official Festival Jury (Zoran Hochsttter, Sergij Grmek Germani and Franco Juri) awarded with vesna also Sonja Savi as best side actress and Drago Milinovi as best side actor.

At Ljubljana film festival new award for film GRAVEHOPPING

25.11.2005 At 16th Ljubljana International Film Festival recived film Gravehopping Special Jury Mention Award. This is the only award beside Kingfisher Award given by Official Festival Jury. Members of Jury were Metod Pevec, Slavko timac and Fernanda Silva. In the explication Jury wrote that comic introductory sequences of Gravehopping entice the viewer into considerably more exacting continuation, where the quotidian lives of the protagonists unveil the old and painful aspects of their preordained existence. With valiant auctorial stance the archetypal depths of the characters relationships are disclosed, while the engrossing aspect of the film has been complemented by the magnificent performance and suggestive camera. On Thursday 1st of December Gravehopping will be presented in competition of Slovene film Festival in Portoro.

GRAVEHOPPING best film in Torino

21.11.2005 Gravehopping on the winning tour. This weekend it recives Main Jury Award for the Best Film in international competition at Torino film festival. Beside this it recives also Award for Best Script given by Holden school Master degree students jury.

GRAVEHOPPING starts slovenian cinema distribution

17.11.2005 From 17 th of November Gravehopping will start cinema distribution in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje.

GRAVEHOPPING winner of Cottbus

Ljubljana, 14.11.2005 On the 15 th festival of EasternEuropean Cinema in Cottbus Jan Cvitkovi recived Main Prize for Best Film. Beside this GRAVEHOPPING recived also award for best film from Ecumencial Jury. Members of festival Jury were german director Andreas Dresen, hungarian actress Dorka Gryllus, polish scriptwritter Maciej Karpinski, croatian and french producer edomir Kolar and Nadia Turincev from Russia. Festival jury unanimosly decided to give award to Gravehopping. In explantaion they wrote: " From the beginning to the end, from birth to death, from laugher to crying, from love to murder, this film takes us on a risky jurney, demanding courage from both the filmmaker and the viewer. It forces us to look back at the experiences of our life and ask: are we actors in a comedy or a drama? It asks uneasy questions, makes us lough in apparently serious moments and in all that doesn't loose its balance, skillfully avoiding all traps of such an adventure. It owes it to the outstanding actors, witty dialogues full of absurd and laconic humour. As one of its characters would put it, this film does not say 'eventually', it goes its own way until a bitter end, full of dramatic power and hope. The Jury unanimously awarded the main Prize for the Best Film to Gravehopping, Slovenia."

GRAVEHOPPING opens 16 th Ljubljana international film festival

Ljubljana, 7.11.2005 Second feature film of director Jan Cvitkovic will open on Thursday 10 th of November at 19.15 h officially open 16 th Ljubljana international film festival. At official opening will be present also majority of film team including director Jan Cvitkovi. Film GRAVEHOPPING will start slovene cinema distribution in Ljubljana at Thursday 17 th of November. On 9 th of November will be GRAVEHOPPING screened in official competition of 15 th Festival of East European Cinema in Cottbus, Germany. On 14 th of November will be screened in competition of 23 rd Torino film festival.

Premeire of dance perofrmance Solo by Magdalena Reiter

on 4 th of November at 20h will be in Stara Elektrarna in Ljubljana premeire of new dance performance by choreographer Magdalena Reiter. Performace is produced by Staragara and co-produced by Bunker / Stara Elektrarna. Performance Solo is second perofrmance produced in cooperation between Staragara and Magdalena Reiter. In performace they are collaborated also dramaturgist Janez Burger, music composerToma Grom, light and set designer Jaka imenc and costume designer Alan Hranitelj. In the perofrmance author asked her a question if Solo is the most personal and indirect form is this a rsum of previous work, can person encounter with oneself, having a closer look at one's own fears, desires, hidden dreams and weaknesses. She wants to discover new qualities, microcosmos. She wants to make s analysis, decomposition to primal parts.It is just a watchword for observing oneself from a distance.

Solo.

Award for dance performance MOMENT

Ljubljana, 19.10.2005 On 8th Teatar fest festival in Sarajevo, which take place between 17th and 24th of September was dance performance MOMENT, choreografed by MAGDALENA REITER, awarded for most expressive stage sign. Performance was coproduced by STARAGARA,

Exodos and Cankarjev dom.

Graveshopping in competition of Warshaw film festival

Ljubljana, 19.10.2005 Jan Cvitkovic's film GRAVEHOPPING will be presented in competitional programme of 21 st Warshaw International Film Festival, which take place from 7 th to 16 th of October. Gravehopping is included among 15 films into competition section New Films, New Directors. President of this year jury is polish direcctor Pawel Pawlikovski, members are Turkish director Yessim Ustaoglu, polish jurnalist in director of music videos Anna Maliszewska, romanian director Cristi Puiu in bosnian director Pjer alica. more: www.wff.pl

Graveshopping opens 3rd Zagreb film festival

Ljubljana, 15.10.2005 Second feature film of award winning director Jan Cvitkovi will on Monday 17 th of October at 20h open 3th Zagreb film festival, where it will be shown in official cometition program. Feature film GRAVEHOPPING is a coproduction between Slovenia and Croatia. Actors and director Jan Cvitkovi will attend opening and official coratian premiere. In official programme will be beside GRAVEHOPPING presented also films GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK directed by George Clooney and ME AND YOU AND EVERYBODY WE KNOW directed by Mirande July. V main programme competiting for Golden Pram Award will be presented 10 feature films. President of Official Jury is chinese director and actor Li Yang, members are dutch producer Denis Vaslin in serbian actor Slavko timac. more: www.zagrebfilmfestival.com

Gravehopping in competition of Warshaw film festival

Ljubljana, 8.10.2005 Jan Cvitkovic's film GRAVEHOPPING will be presented in competitional programme of 21 st Warshaw International Film Festival, which take place from 7 th to 16 th of October. Gravehopping is included among 15 films into competition section New Films, New Directors. President of this year jury is polish direcctor Pawel Pawlikovski, members are Turkish director Yessim Ustaoglu, polish jurnalist in director of music videos Anna Maliszewska, romanian director Cristi Puiu in bosnian director Pjer alica.

Brad Pitt wants to do remake of Gravehopping

Ljubljana, 7.10.2005 Production house PLAN B, owned by Brad Pitt, contacted STARAGARA Production about remake rights for feature film Gravehopping, directed by Jan Cvitkovi. Film Gravehopping was premiered at this year's San Sebastian film festival, where it recives prestigious ALTADIS- NEW DIRECTORS AWARD, for best first or secend film. Plan B, owned by Brad Pitt, has produced this summer hit CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, directed by Tim Burton. Main actor is Johnny Depp. Film was produced for Warner Bross. studios.

Gravehopping (Odgrobadogroba) - By DEBORAH YOUNG FROM VARIETY

Wed., Sep. 28, 2005, 1:36pm PT "Gravehopping" takes Slovenian helmer Jan Cvitkovic beyond the grim down-andouters of his notable debut "Bread and Milk" into a much airier, poetic realm in the best tradition of East European black humor. Beginning as a simple, well-wrought local smiler that descends from Jiri Menzel's "My Sweet Little Village," story turns unexpectedly dark in the final reels, when comedy is jettisoned for a shocker finale. Critical support could convince auds to discover this promising new talent who, along with his producer, Janez Burger (director of "Idle Running"), is putting Slovenian cinema on the map. Mop-headed Pero (Gregor Bakovic) specializes in giving funeral orations in a small Slovenian town. He takes his work seriously and adds personal touches to his eulogies that bring the mourners to tears. He and his best friend Shooki (Drago Milinovic), a mechanic, may not be the brightest guys on the block, but their hearts are in the right place. Their offbeat love interests are, respectively, the innocent-looking, fun-loving young Renata (Mojca Fatur), whom Pero is too bumbling and shy to bed, and Ida (Sonja Savic), a crazy, funnyfaced deaf mute who adores Shooki. What could go wrong in this idyllic setting? For the better part of the film, very little, and some tedium creeps in midway as minicrises involving Pero's suicidal grandfather (Brane Grubar) and his battered-wife sister Vilma (Natasa Matjasec) arise and are quickly solved. This part of the film is enjoyable as a showcase for Bakovic's great comic timing and absurdist humor, as in a simple but effective gag with a ladder or his irresistible attempt to learn English from a language tape. To be sure, editor

Milos Kalusek contributes his own low-key style to the pic's comic moments and subtly motivated scene changes. But as the title suggests, there is a grave side to this tale, and it kicks in during //the final half hour with a rape scene almost too gruesome to watch. This explosion of repressed violence is a familiar staple of Balkan cinema, but here Cvitkovic truly catches the viewer off guard. One by one, Pero's friends and the town itself reveal the dark side of their characters. Whereas loneliness and eccentricity seemed like the villagers' most pressing problems, death and murder are now seen lurking just beneath the surface. Cvitkovic's script closes in a beautifully wrought ending that blends comedy, horror, surprise and even a touch of wonder at the mystery of life. Besides the fine Bakovic, the cast does a splendid job fleshing out unconventional roles. Savic in particular brings an otherworldly light to the playful Ida, halfway between loon and angel. Her speechless role could have come out of a Chaplin film. Milinovic has a memorable moment when he watches "Maciste, the World's Greatest Hero" on TV and promptly adds killer chariot spikes to his car wheels. Though never exploited narratively, this surreal touch subtly prefigures the scenes of violence to come. Simon Tansek's lensing recalls Fritz Lang's phrase that Cinemascope was designed for snakes and funerals. Here it conveys a range of sentiments, from intimate comedy to the extremely powerful image of the rape and on to the eternal beauty of sky, meadows and nature and, yes, funerals. Aldo Ivancic's ironic score is playful but focused.
With: Natasa Matjasec, Domen Remskar, Brane Grubar, Zoran Dzeverdanovic, Vlado Novak. Camera (color, Cinemascope), Simon Tansek; editor, Milos Kalusek; music, Aldo Ivancic; production designers, Vasja Kokelj, Andraz Trkman; costume designers, Polonca Valentincic, Beti Njari; sound (Dolby Digital), Bostjan Kacicnik. Reviewed at San Sebastian Film Festival (competing), Sept. 21, 2005. Running time: 103 MIN.

Altadis New Directors Award for Jan Cvitkovi film Gravehopping at 53. film festival in San Sebastian
Beside the award for best first or second film of the directors at festival, film crew will also recive financial award in total of 90.000 Euros. Gravehopping is second film of the director and it was world premiered at the festival. Members of the jury were italian chritic Vincenzo Bugno, spanish producer Marian Fernandez Pascal, spanish film worker Francisco Hoyos, columbian film critic Orlando Moro, in France born producer Jerome Paillard, british film worker Melanie Tebb in belgian director, writer and producer Jan Vandierendock. Altadis is already second important award that Cvitkovic recived. For his first film Bread and Milk he recived at 58. Venice film festival award Lion of the Future for the best first film.

Film, full of life force

In their explanation jury says that they give this award for the intelligent combination of comedy and drama through characters that constantly surprise us in a film full of vitality.

Graveshopping - the first Slovenian film in San Sebastian

Gravehopping, the second feature film by Jan Cvitkovi, is going to have its world premiere in the competition program of the film festival in the Spanish city of San Sebastian; thus it is to go down in history of our film as the first Slovenian film that managed to qualify for this prestigious festival.

More: www.sansebastianfestival.com

Majaronova 16, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Phone: +386 /1/ 421 00 24

Fax: +386 /1/ 421 00 25

E-mail: info@staragara.com