Film Archive

The Staffroom

Crystal Globe Competition 2021 / Zbornica / Croatia 2021

Anamarija starts her job as a counsellor at a new school. Together with her, the viewers begin to appreciate what kind of people the staffroom teachers are, they witness the petty conflicts and also uncover the power games that go on behind the scenes. This self-assured debut from Sonja Tarokić about the individual's struggle within the system and the sheer effort required to preserve one’s integrity also presents a complex study of an institution whose employees have taken on one of the most responsible roles an adult can have – to educate future generations.

Synopsis

Anamarija starts her job as a counsellor at a new school and gradually starts to find her footing in this unfamiliar environment. Together with her, the viewers begin to appreciate what kind of people the teachers are, they experience first-hand the petty staffroom squabbles, the bickering between pupils, communication with parents and, ultimately, the power games behind the scenes. The dynamic camera work, carefully choreographed scenes, and the precision direction highlight the strength of this self-assured debut from Sonja Tarokić about the individual’s struggle within the system and the effort required to preserve one’s integrity. More broadly, the film represents a complex study of an institution whose staff have taken on one of the most responsible roles an adult can have – to educate future generations.

Lenka Tyrpáková

About the film

126 min / Color, DCP
World premiere
Director Sonja Tarokić / Screenplay Sonja Tarokić / Dir. of Photography Danko Vučinović / Editor Borna Buljević / Art Director Tajana Čanić Stanković / Producer Ankica Jurić Tilić / Production KINORAMA / Cast Marina Redžepović, Stojan Matavulj, Nives Ivanković, Maja Posavec, Sandra Lončarić / Sales New Europe Film Sales / Contact Brigitta Portier

About the director

Sonja Tarokić (1988, Zagreb). Selected filmography: Smart Girls (Pametnice, 2010, short), You Bitch! (Kurvo, 2011, short), I’m a Self-Made Woman (Ja sam svoj život posložila, 2012, short), On Shaky Ground (Tlo pod nogama, 2014, short), The Staffroom (Zbornica, 2021).