CASE: OSTERBERG Feature film based on a book by Zoran Benčič: PSI BREZČASJA Osterberg will be a noir thriller, in which the search for the killer will also uncover layers in the operation of society. Showing a strong desire to discover the truth, Rok Osterberg is wading across the upper and lower layers of
CASE: OSTERBERG
Feature film based on a book by Zoran Benčič: PSI BREZČASJA
Osterberg will be a noir thriller, in which the search for the killer will also uncover layers in the operation of society. Showing a strong desire to discover the truth, Rok Osterberg is wading across the upper and lower layers of the contemporary urban society, uncovering the mechanisms of this living organism one step at a time. The mechanism proves to be an unstoppable force, making an individual its ignorant captive. The film will analyse and criticise the mental state of the modern man, as well as artificial sets of rules that have been developed with the purpose of being hidden. It will uncover and present the reality, complexity and asymmetrical hierarchy of the society, hidden behind the ostensible facade of democracy. Why and how is it that such a dysfunctional society can operate, and what does it require for continuous operation?
Style-wise, the film will therefore be a combination of film noir, modern Asian thrillers and research-analysis productions, such as the series The Wire. Visually in particular, it will be a blend of the stylised neo-noirs and documentary-like vérité, which will also be reflected in sound. We will be tracing Rok making his way through various pyramids of power, uncovering the details of his brother’s murder, putting together the image of the unfortunate event and the currents that led towards it. In such circumstances, an individual’s life is fatalist, determined by the structure of society, while the individual’s attitude towards the society and life as such is mainly nihilist. In a city of distorted morals, unspoken words and buried secrets, each step can be fatal.
Summary
After being away for four years, Rok Osterberg returns to his home town to investigate the murder of his younger brother Maks. As Maks was involved in illegal business, nobody seems to care about his death. The only person willing to help is a family friend, Inspector Kramer. Back home, Osterberg must face people from his past: his friend Aldo with whom Maks used to collect debts, and his ex-girlfriend Katarina, whom he hasn’t got over with. While he was away, as he finds out, Katarina got married to the local politician Frank Kovač Jr, who is running for mayor at the upcoming election.
Exploring his brother’s life, Rok becomes a chess piece in the power-seeking game involving the influential politician’s family, local mafia and powerless police. While trying to walk a tightrope between the three, he is helped in his own way by the individualist Robert Polak who is climbing the social scale of power.
Credits
Authors
Directed by Matej Nahtigal
Written by Matej Nahtigal and Zoran Benčič
Executive Producer: Tomi Matič
DOP: Vladan Janković
Based on a book by Zoran Benčič
Supervising Editor: Andrija Zafranović
Crew
Technical department:
Nina Tratnik – Assistant Director
Živa Čonkaš – Line Producer
Žak Dakota Lekše – Script Supervisor
Katka Sušnik – 1st Camera Assistant
Sara Henigman– 2nd Camera Assistant
Drago Jarič – Lighting Director
Jurij Vižintin – Lighting Technician
Janez IVO Petretič – Grip
Miha Rudolf – Sound Recording
Eva Uršič – Make-up
Sanja Grcić – Costume Design
Cast
Primož Vrhovec – Rok Osterberg
Predrag Mitrović Peđa- Đango
Blaž Setnikar – Inspector Polak
Akira Hasegawa – Aldo
Radko Polič – Rac – Kovač Sr
Emil Cerar – Inspector Holtz
Ivo Barišič – Spaski
Niko Goršič – Inspector Kramer
Marko Ujc – Inspector Štajner
Vida Breže – Katarina Kovač
Andrijana Boškoška Batič – Lili
Valentina Plaskan – Roksana
Production:LIGNIT FILM Velenje & MC Velenje in cooperation with VIBA FILM Ljubljana
& TV Slovenia.
Screening is enablebd by Kinodvor. Mobile cinema.
