Zečji nasip / Sandbag Dam
In a village on the brink of flooding, Marko’s life is turned upside down when Slaven returns for his father’s funeral, rekindling their forbidden romance. As swollen rivers threaten the village, their love reignites amidst family secrets and tensions. Marko, now a young sportsman, struggles to keep his relationship with Slaven hidden from his girlfriend, Petra, and his strict parents—until his younger brother Filip, who has Down syndrome, inadvertently reveals their secret. Amid rising waters, Marko clashes with his best friend Ivan and his father, ultimately realizing his father’s tough love was an attempt to protect him. With the storm raging and a flood imminent, Marko seeks out Slaven at the bus station just before Slaven’s departure for Berlin. There, amidst the chaos, they reunite, ready to confront their past and face the storm together.
Director: Čejen Černić Čanak
Directors Biography: Čejen Černić Čanak is a film and TV directing graduate from the Zagreb University Academy of Dramatic Art. She has directed a number of short films – animation, fiction and documentaries. In 2017, she directed her debut feature film – “The Mystery of Green Hill”, based on the children’s novel by Ivan Kušan. The film received excellent reviews and topped the boxoffice list in the first week of distribution. The film was seen 65,000 viewers in Croatian cinemas, and distributed throughout the region but also in the USA, Canada, China, Austria, Germany, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. It was presented at more than 25 international film festivals. “Sandbag Dam” is her second feature.
Director’s Statement: This is a story about gay love but also about any kind of misunderstood, condemned, ostracised love. I wanted to build the emotion by staying close to my characters, two very young man who because of their relationship feel family rejection, social condemnation and even existential thread. The external circumstances such as the flood that threatens the village are used as metaphorical image of the tightening of the hoop around them, but also as a metaphor of the society that keeps neglecting and ignoring problems, instead of facing them and moving forward.
Being different, which in our story translates to being gay, is condemned without a second thought. Without trying to understand, acknowledge, or tolerate. This is why I find this subject very important and I hope I managed to film an emotional story that will reach and teach the hearts and minds of wider audiences.
Country of Production: Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia
Year of Production: 2025
WORLD PREMIERE: 75th Berlin film festival
Production Companies: Kinorama (Croatia); Tremora (Lithuania); Perfo Production (Slovenia)
Running Time: 88 min
Screenplay: Tomislav Zajec
Producers: Ankica Jurić Tilić, Hrvoje Pervan, Dragan Jurić
Co-producers: Ieva Norvilienė, Aleš Pavlin
DOP: Marko Brdar
Editing: Slaven Zečević
Sound designer: Julij Zornik
Composer: Domas Strupinskas
Art director: Tajana Čanić Stanković
Costume designer: Selena Orb
Make-up artist: Matea Katunar
Dialogue language: Croatian
Financiers: Croatian Audiovisual Center, Lithuanian Film Centre, Slovenian Film Centre, Viba Film Studio, Creative Europe Media
CAST:
Marko: Lav Novosel
Slaven: Andrija Žunac
Fićo: Leon Grgić
Petra: Franka Mikolaci
Vanča: Tanja Smoje
Alenka: Alma Prica
Franjo: Filip Šovagović
Ivan: Luka Baškarad
