09/08/2024

Director Karla Crnčević has brought us a story of women who are starting over by living together in a shared space. The women live on the island of Brać, just off the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. 

There are worse places in this world to start a commune. The women all come from different Balkan countries, so each brings a past heritage of their varied Balkan upbringing to the new community.

Some have come to this place seeking solace, or safety from the former life. They have decided to live off the land, to make their own way in this new secluded spot on the interior of the island.

While seclusion can be good and needful at times, should a life be lived in seclusion? This is what these women are going to find out.

It’s a fascinating question, and many people have tried pure communism before, with varying degrees of success. There are challenges presented by living in nature – it is not an easy endeavor, especially if one has grown accustomed to the creature comforts of modern life, like plumbing. The women brought in clean water, and had electricity, so there were some links to the outside world.

The women are viewed having lively discussions about the who should do what, and when. They also discuss homework with their children, and plot ways to bring in income to their space. The scene in which their horse is fascinated by running water is a keeper.

Karla said she first learned of this community in 2016, and she filmed the women in 2019. “To me it was very important to see if we can live and organize in this kind of way, and to see if they could manage it or not” she said. After becoming interested in the story, she raised funds for 3 years and started her film after talking to the women and getting their permission to start the project.

“It was important for everybody to feel comfortable with the camera there, since they will be vulnerable and exposing big parts of their lives to the camera, and to the public.”

This community is still there in Brać, still going. “They are still in the process of trying, and for me it was important to tell this story, of how much we are willing to give up in order to live together,” said Karla. Interesting film, interesting story. We will check back to see how things are going later on in time.

By Scott Hoy

Photo: Luka Knežević Strika

SONAR CINEMA 
Time & Date
20:00 / Fri 9 Aug, 2024