Jozo Patljak Movies

Love can make you happy, but can it really change you? One man finds out in this comedy from director Pavo Marinkovic. Sasa (Nenad Cvetka) is a deeply introverted man who is seriously lacking in courage and ambition; he works as a writer, but while he dreams of publishing a novel, he makes a meager living writing restaurant reviews for a small newspaper in Zagreb. Sasa is divorced, and when he stops by to see his son, he has to deal with the condescending attitudes of his ex-wife and her new boyfriend. And Sasa doesn't get much support from his mother, who only wants to know why he doesn't spend more time with her. Ines (Dijana Vidusin) is an attractive woman who is seems to be entirely out of Sasa's league -- she's a massage therapist and fitness coach who works at a health club, and she has the confidence and charm to go with her good looks. But after Ines is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend, she goes into an emotional downturn, and when she meets Sasa, she believes they were made for one another. Sasa can hardly believe his good luck, but can he become the sort of man Ines will stay with once she's feeling better about herself? And will he have the nerve to stand up for himself when a negative review makes a powerful restaurateur unhappy? Ljubavni Zivot Domobrana (aka Love Life of a Gentle Coward) received its North American premiere at the 2010 Cinequest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A Muslim cellist and a Serbian student make a desperate attempt to hide their love long enough to escape from war-torn Bosnia before the truth about their sexuality is revealed and they are put to death. Serbian aggression in Sarajevo is escalating, and now, due to his faith, Kenan's life is in grave danger. Should he be questioned, Kenan will almost certainly be put to death. Now, in order to escape to freedom, Kenan will pose as a woman and take the role of Milan's wife. Should the ruse work, the couple may be able to make it to Holland. Yet while the villagers in Milan's hometown seem convinced that Kenan is indeed Milan's bride, the powers that be may not be persuaded so easily. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Dalibor Matanic directs the fast-paced Croatian film noir Fine Dead Girls. Looking for a small place to live together, medical student Iva (Olga Pakalovic) and her girlfriend Marija (Nina Violic) move into an apartment building in Zagreb filled with addicts, abusers, prostitutes, and other creepy characters. Landlords Olga (Inge Appelt) and Blaz (Ivica Vidovic) are no more friendly than the rest of their neighbors, and their delinquent son, Daniel (Kresimir Mikic), is overly attracted to Iva despite his homophobia. Eventually, Marija's intolerant father tries to sabotage the two girls, leading to a violent conclusion. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi