Duga mracna noc (2004)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Antun Vrdoljak

Writer:

Antun Vrdoljak (writer)

Release Date:

7 March 2004 (Croatia)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

"Duga mraèna noæ" is a story about Croatian partisans fight Hitler's troops during WWII. |

Awards:

5 wins

Cast

Goran Visnjic	...	Ivan Kolar - Iva
Mustafa Nadarevic	...	Spanac
Ivo Gregurevic	...	Major
Goran Navojec	...	Matija Èaèiæ - Mata
Boris Dvornik	...	Luka Kolar
Tarik Filipovic	...	Joka
Katarina Bistrovic-Darvas	...	Vera Kolar
Zarko Potocnjak	...	Alojz
Vera Zima	...	Kata
Alen Liveric	...	Jozef Schmit
Goran Grgic	...	Franz Kirchmeier
Kresimir Mikic	...	Robert Neuman
Matko Raguz	...	Bartol
Vili Matula	...	Ressler
Minja Jovicic	...	Emil

Also Known As:

Long Dark Night (International: English title)

Runtime:

200 min

Country:

Croatia

Language:

Serbo-Croatian | Croatian

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Karlovac, Croatia

Company:

Hrvatska Radiotelevizija (HRT)

Trivia:

The movie was filmed at the same time as, and is a distillation of scenes from, the Croatian TV series bearing the same name, _"Duga Mracna Noc" (2005)_ . The TV series, consisting of 13, forty-five minute long episodes, premiered on HRT (Croatia's national television station), at 9 PM (Croatian time) on Sunday February 6, 2005. All 50 episodes will air on consecutive Sundays at 9PM, on HRT.

Quotes:

Matija Èaèiæ - Mata: [English translation] Watch yourself, Iva. They'll go after you again, and I won't be here to help you. Aren't you going to tell me why you've been arrested?
Ivan Kolar - Iva: I helped a friend.
Matija Èaèiæ - Mata: A Jew!
Ivan Kolar - Iva: Does it really matter?
Matija Èaèiæ - Mata: You've betrayed your country because of one Jew?
Ivan Kolar - Iva: Because of a friend, Mata.
Matija Èaèiæ - Mata: For me, one's homeland comes first.
Ivan Kolar - Iva: Well then, I guess I'm more of a “people” kind of person...
Matija Èaèiæ - Mata: If I were a proper Ustasha I would shoot you right now for saying something like that.
Ivan Kolar - Iva: Then what are you, if you're not a real Ustasha?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Duga mracna noc" (2005)

Goran Visnjic's masterfully portrayed of the main character draws you in and keeps you watching.

On April 2, 2005 I went to the "Cinema Croatia" film festival in Santa Monica to see DUGA MRACNA NOC. Goran Visnjic was there to introduce the movie. He explained that the movie is a distillation of scenes taken from the Croatian TV series, of the same name, that is presently airing in his homeland. He further explained that the 5 1/2-hour long, original director's cut, was edited down to the award winning (Pula Film festival), 3-hour theatrical release that was Croatia's official submission to the American Academy Awards best foreign film committee.

I enjoyed the film and think Goran Visnjic masterfully portrayed of Iva Kolar, and made the character so real that I was immediately drawn into the movie. Mr. Visnjic's talented use of body language and facial expression, as well as the particular way he delivers his lines, is nothing less than genius.

"DUGA MRACNA NOC" is an intense story about how friendship and personal loyalty can ultimately mitigate the ravages of intolerance, war, and political upheaval. Its message of personal honor and love of humanity is something any one can relate to, and learn from.

I am also following the progress of the TV series, "DUGA MRACNA NOC," now airing on HRT, via the detailed descriptions and dialog translations sent to me by a Croatian pen pal, as well as from watching video clips of the TV episodes that can be found at the Bleu Profond website (see miscellaneous links at IMDb's Goran Visnjic page). I look forward to obtaining the TV series as soon as it is published as a DVD or video.

Nancy Lion-Storm