Film Archive

Gangster of Love

Documentary Films - Competition 2013 / Gangster te voli / Croatia, Germany, Romania 2013

In the European premiere of his tragicomedy, Nebojša Slijepčević investigates the mentality of the inhabitants of the Croatian town of Imotski through humorous situations and the disarming spontaneity of the main characters as they try to find a mate. Guided by the boss of the local dating agency, who looks like a gangster, maybe they’ll find "the one.”

Synopsis

The main character of this Croatian documentary comedy is former carpenter Nedo Babić, nicknamed Gangster for the sunglasses he always wears. For 25 years he has worked as the boss and sole employee of Hope dating agency, and in that time he has matched nearly 300 more-or-less satisfied couples. In recent years, however, middle-aged, simplistic village men have come to dominate those looking for "the one.” So when he is approached by a young and attractive Bulgarian woman named Maya he believes it will be a snap to find her the ideal groom. But Maya is a foreigner and has a baby to boot.… Experienced Croatian director Nebojša Slijepčević’s tragicomedy investigates the mentality of the inhabitants of the town of Imotski, situated on the border with Bosnia, through humorous situations and the disarming spontaneity of the main characters. At the same time, the film exposes the deeply rooted stereotypes and conservatism of the local men, as well as their ridiculous prejudices.

About the film

80 min / Color, DCP
European premiere
Director Nebojša Slijepčević / Screenplay Nebojša Slijepčević, Vanja Jambrović / Dir. of Photography Nebojša Slijepčević / Music Augustin Kujundžić Ago / Editor Nebojša Slijepčević, Iva Kraljević / Producer Vanja Jambrović / Production Restart / Contact Restart, Rise And Shine World Sales
www: www.gangsteroflovefilm.com

About the director

Nebojša Slijepčević (b. 1973, Zagreb) graduated in film direction from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. He has directed numerous TV docs and documentary films for which he received awards from festivals in Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Verona. He also created the animated short Dog / Rabbit (2011) and the short drama Slap in the Face (2009), and he is one of the main tutors for the documentary workshops set up by the RESTART organization. This year he is leading his most ambitious project to date: a four-month documentary program for people of all ages who want to direct their first nonfiction film. Selected filmography: Of Cows and People (O kravama i ljudima, 2000), In 4 Years (Za 4 godine, 2007), Real Man’s Film (Muski Film, 2012), and Boxed (Kutija 2013).