 ArminDirected by Ognjen Svilicic, 2007 By Rada Djurica Armin is based on the story of Armin Omerovic (who plays himself), a teenage accordion player trying to fulfill his father's dream of becoming an actor. Father and son arrive in a cold, modern hotel in Zagreb, ready to face a film casting service. Armin, a perceptive kid, seems ambivalent about his prospects from the start, and Ibro's (Emir Hadzihafisbegovic) constant pushing embarrasses him. Armin, however, catches the attention of a German director, producing a film about the Balkan conflict, who makes Armin an offer. Croatian filmmaker Ognjen Svilicic directs the film. This is the sort of arty, minimalist film that makes good material for film festivals, which is common among contemporary post-war Bosnian films. The director, though, often overdoes the gags involving the father, presenting Ibro's character, who is from inland Bosnia, as ignorant about technology and big city living. Svilicic uses many other similar sentimental, arty tricks which could easily be misinterpreted. If the plot sometimes veers into sentimentality, the actors deserve
praise. Emir Hadzihafisbegovic is really good as the father, as well
as Armin himself, especially if you take into the consideration his
young age. Director Svilicic pays lots of attention to small gestures
and glances, smoothly developing sympathy for his characters. He manages
well the subtle humor and disillusionment of their trip. In a way, Armin realizes the subtle humor, or perhaps irony, glimpsed in of Ognjen Svilicic's previous films.
Belgrade International Film Festival
|