Ready to enter a world of imagination? The world premiere of the film Fantasy took place at the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, based on the filmmaker’s short film Sisters. The film is set to debut on August 8th and promises to take viewers on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.<\/p>\n
Mihrije, Sina, and Jasna are three best friends in their early 20s living in Slovenia. They are wild and free-spirited, refusing to adapt to the conservative system they live in. Their world is turned upside down when they meet Imagination, a transgender woman, who challenges their perceptions and understanding of gender, desire, and self-discovery.<\/p>\n
The ensemble cast, mostly first-timers, is led by Sarah Al Saleh, Alina Juhart, Mina Milovanovi\u0107, and Mia Skrbinac. The film was written and directed by Katarina Bogdanovi\u0107, also known as Kukla, who has made a name for herself in the film industry. Lazar Bogdanovi\u0107 acted as the cameraman, and Totem film took over the international sales of the film.<\/p>\n
Kukla’s short film Sisters won the Grand Prix International Honor at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival in 2021 and the audience award at Premiers Plans d’Angers. She has now transformed the short film into the feature film Fantasy, which was developed at Cannes Cin\u00e9fondation and Les Biers. According to Kukla, "The film examines the recovery of the lengthy female look and invites women to see themselves through their own lens and not through external expectations."<\/p>\n
Kukla drew inspiration from her own experiences and observations. She mentions that her best friend, a psychologist and astrologist, told her about the interesting fact that as a man, you are only expected to be a man, but as a woman, you have to become a woman. Unfortunately, the Balkans are still a very patriarchal place, and many women are not seen or treated as equal members of society. The film is a reflection of Kukla’s experiences with this issue.<\/p>\n
A first clip from Fantasy shows the initial meeting between the three friends and Imagination, which receives a different reception from each of them. The clip also features a cigarette and ice cream, adding a touch of realism and relatability to the scene. If you’re ready to enter the world of imagination, you can watch the film clip and experience it for yourself. <\/p>\n