News

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 Portorož. Short film I KNOW by writer and director Jan Cvitkovič 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 CVITKOVIČ PRESENTED HIS BOOK OF POETRY HUNGRY ANIMAL

Portorož, 24.10.2008

On Friday October 24^th Jan Cvitkovič presented his first book of poetry Hungry Animal.

Hungry Animal presents Jan Cvitkovič as writer of ordinary moments, that first freeze in moveless bouquete nad than poetically open themselve in all metaphisics.

Editor Zdravko Duša 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 Cvitkivič 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 Portorož.

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 Cvitkovič 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 Šejla Kamenarić 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 Cvitkovič, will be internationally premiered in sections Here and Elsewhere and Leopards of Tomorrow at the 61^st film festival in LOCARNO (6–16 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 Cvitkovič: “This is my first film which I think is perfect. I wouldn’t want to add anything or change anything. This film talks about everything.”

The crew who created the film is: Jan Cvitkovič, writer and director, Jure Černec, director of photography, Miloš Kalusek, editor, Niko Novak, screenplay, Beti Njari, costume designer, Jurij Zornik, sound designer and Lija Ivančič, make-up desiger. Miha Černec was in charge of executive production, the producer of the film is Jožko Rutar for the production house STARAGARA.

The actors are Niko Novak, Medea Novak and Miha Gulič.

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 Cvitkovič. Cvitkovič 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 3^rd and 8^th 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 5^th International Festival Amakula Kampala in Uganda, which takes place between 1^st and 11^th of May 2008.

SLOVENE PREMIERE OF DANCE PERFORMANCE 36,5°C

The Slovene premiere of dance performance 36,5°C 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/si/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

Portorož, 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 Žbanić, 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 Jožko 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. Burger’s 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

Portorož, 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 Cvitkovič 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 Cvitkovič. 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.

36,5°C – 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 Portorož 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 CVITKOVIČ FOR CINEMA WITHOUT BORDERS

Ljubljana, 23.9. 2007

Cinema Without Borders website published an interview with writer and director Jan Cvitkovič.

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 Čušin 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 Tanšek
Art director: Niko Novak
Editor: Miloš Kalusek
Make up artist: Alenka Nahtigal
Costume designer: Alan Hranitelj
Sound recording and editing: Gašper Loborec, Boštjan Kačičnik
Music: Drago Ivanuša, Ansambel bratov Avsenik
Producer: Jožko 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 Jožko Rutar will attend the festival.

FINISHED SHOOTING OF SHORT FILM MASTERPIECE

Ljubljana, 16.8. 2007

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

photo:Matej Mljač

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 Kleč, 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 Zupančič, Primož Pirnat, Olga Kacjan, Pavle Ravnohrib, Vojko Zidar, Saša Tabakovič, Jette Ostan Verjup, Janez Škof, Gregor Čušin and others.

Director of photography is Bojan Kastelic, set was designed by Vasja Kokelj and Andraž Trkman, costume design by Alan Hranitelj, make-up artist was Alenka Nahtigal. Film is edited by Miloš Kalusek, author of original music is Drago Ivanuša.

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 Jožko 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 Ješelnik 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 Čedomir 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 Jožko 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 Cvitkovič 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 Kalužynski 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 Cvitkovič recived on film festival in hungarian city Pecs 3 awards.

Festival Jury awarded Gregor Bakovic with Best Main Actor Award and Simon Tašek 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 Tanšek, art director was Niko Novak, make up artist war Alenka Nahtigal and costume designer was Alan Hranitelj. Film was produced by Jožko 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 Cvitkovič.

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 Cvitkovič will be member of mail international jury for feature films. Beside him in jury will be also bosnian directress Jasmila Žbanić, Wouter Barendrecht, founder of Fortissimo Film Sales, Kim Dong-ho, director of Pusan International Film Festivala (Korea) and Jérôme Paillard, director of Marche de Cannes (France).
In section Regional off will be presented Cvitkovič's film GREAVEHOPPING (ODGROBADOGROBA).

Director Janez Burger in producer Jožko 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.

JAN CVITKOVIČ MEMBER OF JURY IN LOCARNO

Ljubljana, 2.8.2006

Director Jan Cvitkovič 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, Coopération a la Direction des Affaires Européennes et Internationales du Centre National de la Cinématographie, France Jacqueline Ada.

GRAVEHOPPING BEST FILM IN PALIĆ

Ljubljana, 21.7.2006

Jan Cvitkovič recives on 13. european film festival in Palić 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 Arnerić, hungarian director Benedek Fligauf, german director Dietrich Bruggemann, austrian actress Franziska Weisz ans serbian director Srđan Koljević.

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 Cvitkovič recived on 22nd film festival FESTROIA in portugese city Setúbal 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 Štimac, 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 Cvitkovič 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.

SHORT FILM ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF ALPS IN PRE-PRODUCTION

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.

JOŽKO RUTAR IS SLOVENIAN PRODUCER ON THE MOVE

9.5.2006

Producer Jožko 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 Cvitkovič 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 Cvitkovič 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
Portorož (Slovenia) - vesna – award for best feature film, vesna – award for best side actress (Sonja Savić), vesna – award for best side actor (Drago Milinovič)

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.

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 Portorož recived film Gravehopping Award Vesna for best feature film. Beside main award Official Festival Jury (Zoran Hochstätter, Sergij Grmek Germani and Franco Juri) awarded with vesna also Sonja Savić as best side actress and Drago Milinovič 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 Štimac 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 Portorož.

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 Cvitkovič 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 Čedomir 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 Cvitkovič.

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 composerTomaž Grom, light and set designer Jaka Šimenc 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 résumé 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 Žalica.

more: www.wff.pl

Graveshopping opens 3rd Zagreb film festival

Ljubljana, 15.10.2005

Second feature film of award winning director Jan Cvitkovič 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 Cvitkovič 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 Štimac.

more: www.zagrebfilmfestival.com

Gravehopping in competition of Warshaw film festival

Ljubljana, 8.10.2005

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 Cvitkovič. 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-and-outers 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 off-beat 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, funny-faced 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 Cvitkovič 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 Cvitkovič, 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

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E-mail: info@staragara.com