Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc: A journey through cinema and sisterhood
A new chapter in Prosenc’s cinematic journey
Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc is gearing up for her fourth feature film, an untitled drama that delves into themes of sisterhood and female liberation. This project follows the success of her recent film, Family Therapy, which premiered at Tribeca and is now competing at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Exploring new horizons with ‘Little Yugoslavia’
In addition to her upcoming feature, Prosenc is co-developing a dark comedy-horror series titled Little Yugoslavia with North Macedonian filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska. The series will be pitched at the Bosnian festival, promising a unique blend of dark humor and horror elements.
A drama with thriller elements
Prosenc describes her next feature as a drama with thriller elements, structured like a puzzle. The narrative gradually constructs the worlds of three women, set against the picturesque backdrops of Slovenia and Italy. Their separate lives move towards an inevitable convergence, culminating in a dramatic collision.
The film will explore themes of freedom, sisterhood, and the unpredictable power of chance encounters. It will reunite Prosenc with previous collaborators, including cinematographer Mitja Ličen, known for his work on Small Body. The project has Italian and Norwegian co-producers attached and is currently seeking a French co-producer.
A blend of past and present
Prosenc’s new project represents a blend of her previous works. Her debut film, The Tree, premiered at Karlovy Vary’s East of West competition in 2014 and was Slovenia’s entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Her second film, History of Love, competed at the Czech festival in 2018 and also represented Slovenia at the Oscars.
Family Therapy, which premiered at Tribeca, follows a seemingly perfect family whose life is disrupted by a young stranger. The film stars Mila Bezjak, Aliocha Schneider, Marko Mandić, and Katarina Stegnar. It is written and directed by Prosenc and produced by her and Rok Sečen for Monoo, with co-producers from Italy, Croatia, Norway, and Serbia.
The essence of ‘Family Therapy’
Prosenc describes Family Therapy as an exploration of isolation. The film’s protagonists, representatives of Slovenia’s post-transitional nouveau riche, face a test of their progressive, humanistic values when they are unexpectedly positioned to help another family in need.
The film’s main characters feel disconnected from society, a reflection of a contemporary state of society in Slovenia and worldwide. Prosenc wanted to create empathy for the characters, allowing the audience to see themselves in the story, even if they might secretly do the same in a similar situation.
Marko Mandić as Aleksander
Marko Mandić plays Aleksander, a struggling writer and ersatz patriarch, married to Olivia (Stegnar), a gallerist whose ambitions are thwarted by her failing marriage. The couple, cultured and cosmopolitan on the outside, becomes captive to their own prejudices and fears after an unwelcome knock on the door.
Prosenc chose to set the Kraljs in a cultural milieu rather than making them a capitalist, conservative, rich family. This choice opens up space for empathy from the viewer, allowing them to see the complexities of the characters’ values and actions.
‘Little Yugoslavia’: A punk-rock energy
Prosenc and Mitevska are pitching Little Yugoslavia at Sarajevo’s CineLink Industry Days. The series is set in a post-socialist apartment complex where residents vanish without a trace. Two vampire queens, mother and daughter drug addicts over the age of 50, are on a mission to purify the world.
Mitevska, frustrated with TV series from the Balkan region, wanted to create something edgy, funky, liberating, and entertaining. Prosenc was drawn to the concept’s punk-rock energy and was quick to join the project.
A focus on flawed female protagonists
The series aims to shake up the regional quality series scene, focusing on flawed female protagonists who dare to be imperfect. It will be produced by Labina Mitevska through her production company Sisters and Brothers Mitevski, in co-production with Prosenc’s Monoo. The duo has spent the past year developing the show through the French CNC’s Going European fund and are looking for broadcasters and pre-sales during CineLink Industry Days.
Teona Mitevska’s cinematic journey
Mitevska’s last film, 21 Days Until the End of the World, premiered at the Venice Film Festival’s Venice Days sidebar. Her previous feature, The Happiest Man in the World, was part of the festival’s Horizons strand in 2022.
Mitevska is currently working on her English-language debut, Mother, starring Noomi Rapace as Mother Theresa. The film will follow seven pivotal days in the life of the legendary Catholic saint. Rapace, known for her roles in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Prometheus, is serving on the feature film jury at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
The Sarajevo Film Festival runs from August 16 to 23.
For more information on the films and series mentioned, check out the trailers and details:
- Family Therapy
- The Tree
- History of Love
- 21 Days Until the End of the World
- The Happiest Man in the World
- Mother
For music enthusiasts, explore the soundtracks and scores on Spotify: