EFF: Murina

“If Patricia Highsmith had ever written a coming-of-age story set on the rocky, clear-watered Croatian coastline, it might have looked a lot like Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s bright, brooding debut, Murina.” — Variety

Tensions rise between restless teenager Julija and her oppressive father Ante when an old family friend arrives at their Croatian island home. As Ante attempts to broker a life-changing deal, their tranquil yet isolated existence leaves Julija wanting more from this influential visitor, who provides a taste of liberation over a weekend laid bare to desire and violence. 

This Camera d’Or winning film from the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, for the best first feature film, is an impressive debut that features Martin Scorsese as one of its executive producers. The uniformly excellent cast includes Maori actor Cliff Curtis as Javier, the old family friend whose arrival sets Julija on her path of rebellion and liberation.  

Throughout the film the undercurrents of jealousy, suspicion and sexual tension play out through a series of shifting power dynamics within the increasingly dysfunctional family against the backdrop of the glistening island setting.  

Rating

M

Language

English, Croatian (English Subtitles)

Cast

Gracija Filipovic, Danica Curcic, Leon Lucev, Cliff Curtis

Director

Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic