In the Orthodox religion, the feast of Epiphany is celebrated with a race to the holy cross that a priest launches into a river. The men jump into the icy water to catch the cross, which is supposed to bring good fortune for the whole year to the winner. Thus, in Macedonia, in a village eternally cemented in the darkness of the middle ages, an almost insignificant event is going to take on excessive proportions when a woman participates to this religious ceremony ... and wins. For native males, it's an outrageous theft. For a female journalist, it's a courageous act of social rebellion and feminine emancipation. The event taking on an enormous scale, the local police must intervene. This is the beginning of a downward spiral based on conformity, tradition, archaism, distressing methods of intimidation as well as ridiculous guilt-inducing monologues. As depressing as it may seem, this movie is based on an excellent quartet 'cast + photography + script + dialog'. A delightful surprise from Macedonia.
13 Reviews
A non-conformist among traditionalists
georgioskarpouzas21 November 2019
I have just watched this movie in Athens and I am very satisfied with it. We were eleven spectators in the theatre during the 20:00 local time screening while rain and wind were raging outside. I had read about the message it seeks to convey and I think it does so very effectively. It is one-sided aligning with progress against religious tradition, obscurantism and male chauvinism. Some of those who uphold religious tradition and patriarchal authority are portrayed very negatively, the equivalent of "church and king" crowds of earlier times. Others such as the priest and some policemen are more ambivalent characters with both negative and positive aspects. Even the TV journalist though who upholds progressivism is not an altogether positive character. The plot is simple: an educated young woman who is nevertheless unemployed performs almost thoughtlessly a symbolic act which puts her at odds with the longstanding conventions and prejudices of a backward society and suffers the consequences. Clearly the movie sides with the open society option against ossified tradition. Not everyone will like this but most people in the West will.
Beautiful story, covering religious traditions and ineradicable male chauvinism. A "loser" category woman rises to the challenge and an improved version comes out of it
JvH4827 February 2019
Saw this at the Berlinale 2019, where it was part of the official Competition for the golden bear. The jury awarded none of the available prices, however, but still I was very satisfied to have seen thie movie. At its core is a nice story, that develops very well, irrespective of the initial setting of a "loser" type of woman who consistently fails to find a job. It covered lots of social commentary about religious traditions dating back from medieval times and about ineradicable male chauvinism. Both topics were to be expected after having read the synopsis.
You can imagine that it has all the elements of a biblic parable, combining several parties who all claim they are right: (a) the vaste gathering of young men, having trained for diving to get the cross, but Petrunija was first, so the men hold that she "stole" the cross while only men can participate in the ritual since centuries, (b) the church is involved, but the patriarch refuses to file a complaint that she "stole" the cross, which would be a lie, so he tries several other arguments, (c) the police, populated of course with lots of male chauvinist pigs, but not all of them fit in that category, (d) the two parents, concerned about what the neighbours will say, and (e) a woman journalist accompanied by a male camera man, having their internal struggles with their bosses and with each other.
Everything that happens in this movie, a lot more than can be derived from above ingredients, showcases the current state of that part of the continent: it is a small world, and residuals of past centuries are still very persistent. The visible presence of mobile phones at the scene where the cross is dropped in the river, allowing the diving act of Petrunija to be filmed and going "viral" on Youtube, seems contradictory to the previous sentence. Can it both be true??
The nice thing is that we see Petrunya change from a sheep to a wolf, something related to a story told by the interrogating police officer, about a sheep disguised as a wolf. But then she turns the story around in the final scene.
Petrunija is a perfect example of a "loser" in the beginning, but she becomes calmer and calmer as the story progresses. We see her grow to become a better woman out of it after this experience. Notwithstanding (I must admit) that I had expected some police brutality while she was held in "for her protection" custody, but there was none of it. And neither is there any trace of corruption, albeit common in many East-European police forces (I know that Macedonie is no ex-Sovjet country, but still I cannot avoid thinking of the many ex-USSR movies that I've seen).
All in all, while covering several interesting topics as side dishes on the menu, the fact that Petrunya rises to the challenge and comes out of it as a better version of herself, is the main course of this story. Unattractive as she is from the outset, the process she goes through is richer with developments than could be assumed from the synopsis. So ignore the uninviting title of this movie, and book tickets for it at your earliest convenience.
You can imagine that it has all the elements of a biblic parable, combining several parties who all claim they are right: (a) the vaste gathering of young men, having trained for diving to get the cross, but Petrunija was first, so the men hold that she "stole" the cross while only men can participate in the ritual since centuries, (b) the church is involved, but the patriarch refuses to file a complaint that she "stole" the cross, which would be a lie, so he tries several other arguments, (c) the police, populated of course with lots of male chauvinist pigs, but not all of them fit in that category, (d) the two parents, concerned about what the neighbours will say, and (e) a woman journalist accompanied by a male camera man, having their internal struggles with their bosses and with each other.
Everything that happens in this movie, a lot more than can be derived from above ingredients, showcases the current state of that part of the continent: it is a small world, and residuals of past centuries are still very persistent. The visible presence of mobile phones at the scene where the cross is dropped in the river, allowing the diving act of Petrunija to be filmed and going "viral" on Youtube, seems contradictory to the previous sentence. Can it both be true??
The nice thing is that we see Petrunya change from a sheep to a wolf, something related to a story told by the interrogating police officer, about a sheep disguised as a wolf. But then she turns the story around in the final scene.
Petrunija is a perfect example of a "loser" in the beginning, but she becomes calmer and calmer as the story progresses. We see her grow to become a better woman out of it after this experience. Notwithstanding (I must admit) that I had expected some police brutality while she was held in "for her protection" custody, but there was none of it. And neither is there any trace of corruption, albeit common in many East-European police forces (I know that Macedonie is no ex-Sovjet country, but still I cannot avoid thinking of the many ex-USSR movies that I've seen).
All in all, while covering several interesting topics as side dishes on the menu, the fact that Petrunya rises to the challenge and comes out of it as a better version of herself, is the main course of this story. Unattractive as she is from the outset, the process she goes through is richer with developments than could be assumed from the synopsis. So ignore the uninviting title of this movie, and book tickets for it at your earliest convenience.
a parable
Kirpianuscus5 July 2020
It can be discovered from different angles. As a religious film, as manifesto about women rights in Balkans, as support for reflection about social rules, love and mankind, about machism and about Church. But, for me it has two basic virtues - it is a well crafted film -Zorica Nusheva makes a magnificent role -, and its message in profound Christian. A great film about a woman, a cross, a priest, a reporter and a gift to a policeman.
A very special movie
u-3218721 June 2020
This movie is very powerful because it is very powerful, and there is basically no weakness from script to photography to performance. The movie sparkles from the moment Peñia jumps into the water, making the eyes not want to leave for a second. The dialogue is full of humor, and several transitions from the camera lens to the reality are also very interesting.
The modern day Antigone
simon-sieverts-859-17149324 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Tl;dr version:
Genius. I saw this in original with subtitles at the Atelier cinema in Munich. The plot blasts off with a real-life act of civil disobedience which beautifully highlights the absurdity in the small north Macedonian town of Shtip, but hey, this could be everywhere. The rest is a kinda simple suffrage and perseverance affair, but how wonderfully told? For a budget probably under $500,000. The storyline, dialog, direction, music, editing are all masterful. It's a must see.
PLOT Petrunija is against the rules. She lives in a world where women are expected, even by their mothers, to give favours just to get a job. After an unsuccessful job interview, Petrunija spontaneously takes part in an old town tradition, where the priest throws a small wooden cross into the river, young candidates dive in to retrieve it and the winner is blessed with a year of happiness. Petrunija wins. Only she is a woman and she is against the rules. Nearly lynched by the mob, most of the film takes part in the police station where she finds sanctuary but is confronted in turn by everyone, transforming them all (and the audience) on her journey.
It is a exquisite examination of the people whose rules she has broken. The rules of the church? The law of the land? The family rules? Like Antigone, no-one wants to take responsibility as they all struggle with their rules which just don't seem to apply to Petrunija. Director Teona Strugar Mitevska plays out each examination with a miraculous balance of relentless comedy and heart-wrenching tragedy which makes the heart beat and the palms sweat and the gut laugh. Sophocles and Aristophanes would have been equally proud.
ACTING / DIRECTION Lead Zorica Nusheva just crushes it in her filmic debut. Timing, playing for the camera, voice work were all bursting with the right kind of energy to help draw us deeper and deeper into her character's decisions as she exposes to us her ground-shaking power. In her filmic debut, Nusheva's talent has obviously been keenly honed playing mostly theatre comedy on the stages in Skopje. She even had to learn the north Macedonian dialect before working the part of Patrunija. I'm told she did this very convincingly!
Nusheva plays a series of duets throughout the story which work like set pieces as we follow her journey: duets with her independent best friend, with a groping boss in an interview, the priest, the police chief, the female reporter (more about her later), one of her arrested enemies from the mob and a duet with the younger police officer played by the mesmeric Stefan Vujisic. This duet alone is worth the ticket price if you're interested at all in acting or directing.
The reporter, played by the director's sister Labina Mitevska, is a role that wasn't even in the original screenplay, but it's hard to imagine this film without her. She embodies the Greek Chorus, breaking the forth wall with such skill that comes only so effortlessly after 20 years of acting experience. And with the trust in her brilliant sister director.
SUMMARY This film is a must see. I have seldom seen such a euphoric audience leaving a cinema; cleansed, curious, invigorated. I observed several groups of people after the show hanging around the foyer and eavesdropped them discussing passionately about suffering, dissent, justice, struggle and freedom. If film were a Bordeaux wine, then this is a Margaux. It's taste will haunt your tongue long after the bottle has vanished.
PLOT Petrunija is against the rules. She lives in a world where women are expected, even by their mothers, to give favours just to get a job. After an unsuccessful job interview, Petrunija spontaneously takes part in an old town tradition, where the priest throws a small wooden cross into the river, young candidates dive in to retrieve it and the winner is blessed with a year of happiness. Petrunija wins. Only she is a woman and she is against the rules. Nearly lynched by the mob, most of the film takes part in the police station where she finds sanctuary but is confronted in turn by everyone, transforming them all (and the audience) on her journey.
It is a exquisite examination of the people whose rules she has broken. The rules of the church? The law of the land? The family rules? Like Antigone, no-one wants to take responsibility as they all struggle with their rules which just don't seem to apply to Petrunija. Director Teona Strugar Mitevska plays out each examination with a miraculous balance of relentless comedy and heart-wrenching tragedy which makes the heart beat and the palms sweat and the gut laugh. Sophocles and Aristophanes would have been equally proud.
ACTING / DIRECTION Lead Zorica Nusheva just crushes it in her filmic debut. Timing, playing for the camera, voice work were all bursting with the right kind of energy to help draw us deeper and deeper into her character's decisions as she exposes to us her ground-shaking power. In her filmic debut, Nusheva's talent has obviously been keenly honed playing mostly theatre comedy on the stages in Skopje. She even had to learn the north Macedonian dialect before working the part of Patrunija. I'm told she did this very convincingly!
Nusheva plays a series of duets throughout the story which work like set pieces as we follow her journey: duets with her independent best friend, with a groping boss in an interview, the priest, the police chief, the female reporter (more about her later), one of her arrested enemies from the mob and a duet with the younger police officer played by the mesmeric Stefan Vujisic. This duet alone is worth the ticket price if you're interested at all in acting or directing.
The reporter, played by the director's sister Labina Mitevska, is a role that wasn't even in the original screenplay, but it's hard to imagine this film without her. She embodies the Greek Chorus, breaking the forth wall with such skill that comes only so effortlessly after 20 years of acting experience. And with the trust in her brilliant sister director.
SUMMARY This film is a must see. I have seldom seen such a euphoric audience leaving a cinema; cleansed, curious, invigorated. I observed several groups of people after the show hanging around the foyer and eavesdropped them discussing passionately about suffering, dissent, justice, struggle and freedom. If film were a Bordeaux wine, then this is a Margaux. It's taste will haunt your tongue long after the bottle has vanished.
An amazing film, an absolute must seen
georgiatsiam14 February 2021
I wouldn't change a scene or a word. It's an epic film that speaks to my upbringing, my culture and my heart. Petrunija is a goodness, follows her heart, her spirit and her inner voice.
She doesn't trust the police, the church orthe media. You have to watch it!
A feminist tale reflecting the contemporary mood on religious rituals worldwide
JuguAbraham8 December 2019
Reflects the mood of the present day, across the world, encompassing all religions. Men are expected to participate in major religious rituals, while women are kept out by archaic man-made rules. Petrunya is a not-so-pretty but well-educated middle-aged woman hoping for a lucky break in her life. She gets it, when she jumps into a river to get a blessed cross thrown by priests traditionally to be found in the river by a male member who will get luck for the year. A lovely entertaining and humanist film, deserving of the Honors at Berlin and other film festivals
A Feminist flag raised up in cinema
bernardo-321756 December 2019
A Few Good Dialogue Scenes
velvet_zoo23 September 2019
Undeveloped story with some good dialogue scenes where Zorica Nushewas character comes alive for a few seconds. Feels like a short film being blown out of proportion. Little character development with a predictable plot and some unbelievable characters. Probably must do for Macedonia. Not a must see for everyone.
Forgiveness in an archaic world
rpsymon15 July 2020
A film which shall magnetize you through excellent acting, with an unusual camerawork, with symbolic sets.
An East-European story, in a sorrowful environment, but through forgiveness, love and humanity prevails. In a very elegant (non-didactic) way. Best film for me recently.
Traditions stop progress
cristyrapidistu27 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a perfect example of why fanatics destroy any possible chance of progress. The movie shows in an amazing way the fanatic crowd, the priest that is trying to keep the people together and happy while not being 100% sure that it's the right thing to do, the cop that knows that everything that happens is abusive and ridiculous and the protagonist who transformed into the predator in the end
The film who can change the world
borivojeangelovski12 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The feministical movement in this film is not in a law with a ethic and psychology.
The film is shot and inspiered from a true story and this is a positive,but in the movie we have a little epic and emotional down.
The thrid macedonian film who participated on Berlinale.
Great job guys!
Great job guys!
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