This review may contain slight spoilers.
Conflict between 'warring', opposing boy gangs is not new and is portrayed in several films. Just think of 'War of The Buttons' ('La Guerre des Boutons') of 1962, the Irish version 'War of The Buttons' (1994) and the excellent Hungarian film 'The Boys of Paul Street' ('A Pál utcai fiúk') (1969). In 'Poletje v koljki' we meet two gangs from neighbouring villages on Yugoslavia's picturesque Adriatic coast. Our protagonist, Tomaz and his gang are from Piran, and they have a long-standing feud with the lads from Portoroz. When the latter spray-paint graffiti on Piran's buildings, it is like a declaration of war.
Tomaz is living with his mother; his father had left them and lives in the city of Ljubljana. A rather strange element in the film is Tomaz's clever computer who thinks like a human being and provides answers to any questions Tomaz may ask. He even gives Tomaz advice on how to get revenge on the boys of Portoroz.
Some of the families depend on shellfish farming along the coast. When they discover that a few of the ropes with shellfish are missing, the boys suspect the other boy gang to be responsible. Tension rises between the two gangs, until they discover who the real culprits are; a few tourist hooligans with motorcycles who camp nearby. The gangs join forces and with military precision, aided by the computer, they confront the culprits.
The adventurous summer ends on a low note for Tomaz when he learns that his mother has decided to join his father in the city and that Tomaz will have to move too, leaving his mates and girlfriend behind. But will Tomaz move, or will he take matters in his own hand and run away from home?
This is unfortunately not an outstanding film; I found the acting and cinematography rather average. The most interesting part for me was to 'experience' Yugoslavia what it looked like a few years before the tragic Balkan War. From my outsider perspective, a bit of history and era of innocence gone by. 6/10.
Conflict between 'warring', opposing boy gangs is not new and is portrayed in several films. Just think of 'War of The Buttons' ('La Guerre des Boutons') of 1962, the Irish version 'War of The Buttons' (1994) and the excellent Hungarian film 'The Boys of Paul Street' ('A Pál utcai fiúk') (1969). In 'Poletje v koljki' we meet two gangs from neighbouring villages on Yugoslavia's picturesque Adriatic coast. Our protagonist, Tomaz and his gang are from Piran, and they have a long-standing feud with the lads from Portoroz. When the latter spray-paint graffiti on Piran's buildings, it is like a declaration of war.
Tomaz is living with his mother; his father had left them and lives in the city of Ljubljana. A rather strange element in the film is Tomaz's clever computer who thinks like a human being and provides answers to any questions Tomaz may ask. He even gives Tomaz advice on how to get revenge on the boys of Portoroz.
Some of the families depend on shellfish farming along the coast. When they discover that a few of the ropes with shellfish are missing, the boys suspect the other boy gang to be responsible. Tension rises between the two gangs, until they discover who the real culprits are; a few tourist hooligans with motorcycles who camp nearby. The gangs join forces and with military precision, aided by the computer, they confront the culprits.
The adventurous summer ends on a low note for Tomaz when he learns that his mother has decided to join his father in the city and that Tomaz will have to move too, leaving his mates and girlfriend behind. But will Tomaz move, or will he take matters in his own hand and run away from home?
This is unfortunately not an outstanding film; I found the acting and cinematography rather average. The most interesting part for me was to 'experience' Yugoslavia what it looked like a few years before the tragic Balkan War. From my outsider perspective, a bit of history and era of innocence gone by. 6/10.
