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Avala

Synopsis: 

Twenty years ago, Mr. Dedić, a professional Cellist with his career on the rise suddenly decided to stop playing the Cello, and withdrew from the world.

After leaving the Philharmonic orchestra, without anything, only his cello, various psychiatric institutions became his home, until he finally arrived at a sanatorium at the top of the mountain named Avala.

In this displaced and forgotten psychiatric asylum, also known as Open Day Hospital, he is waiting for a return to the real world.

The only staff in the forgotten hospital, marked out for demolition, is the head nurse Sonja, who is also a housekeeper and a therapist. Mr. Dedić is her only remaining patient.

Days are going slowly, like in every hospital. Mainly, Mr. Dedić is fighting his own demons. When he cannot sleep, he dreams of and imagines war crimes for which he is being told never happened. He feels sick remorse, since his music could not prevent all those atrocities.

After one experience with Sonja, during a summer storm, and the discovery of an abandoned mine named Hollow Rock, he comes across a café hosting a beauty contest. He unpacks his dusty cello and climbs aboard the Open Top tourist bus, traveling through Belgrade. He is playing the Boccherini concert...

Avala is a personal story, told from passion, without the assistance of any governmental or non-governmental organizations, only with the help of friends. Filmed in 12 days, with a budget of 128 € and with a broken lens camera, and surveyor tripod.

Runtime: 
01:49:59
English subtitle: 
Yes
Information for the Audience: 

Directors: Slobodan Popovic
Writers: Slobodan Popovic
Producers: Art Beat Centar
Key cast: Nermin Ahmetovic, Amra Latific, Jelena Trkulja

Screenings / Awards: 

Best Feature Film - Indie Film Festival, Switzerland, 2015

Lumiere 2016, CinemaAvvenire Film festival, Roma - Official selection

London Shows film festival, 2015 - Official selection

 

submission status:

Singapore World International Film Festival - Official selection

 

Information for theatres: 

Student project: No
Completion date: 2015-08-01
Shooting format: Digital HD
Aspect ratio: DCP 1:1.85, BD 16:9
Film color: Color
First-time filmmaker: Yes

Total votes: 19724