Sjaj u ocima (2003)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Srdjan Karanovic

Writer:

Srdjan Karanovic (writer)

Release Date:

24 June 2004 (Slovenia)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Senad Alihodzic	...	Labud
Ivana Bolanca	...	Romana
Jelena Djokic	...	Vida
Milena Dravic	...	Vlasnica agencije
Gorica Popovic	...	Majka
Boris Komnenic	...	Profesor Jablan
Matija Prskalo	...	Agnes
Lotos Sparovec	...	Igor
Branko Cvejic	...	Otac
Bisera Veletanlic	...	Ljubiteljka muzike
Predrag Danilovic	...	NBA kosarkas
Mira Djurdjevic	...	Maskirna (as Mirjana Djurdjevic)
Andrew Greenwood	...	Michael
Steve Agnew	...	Konzularni Sluzbenik
Danijel Nikolic	...	Policajac
Bojana Bambic	...	Ruskinja
Goran Danicic	...	Gangster
Marija Opsenica	...	Intelektualka
Stevan Jovanovic	...	Odzacar
Laza Jovanovic	...	Covek u vozu (as Lazar Jovanovic)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zoran Cvijanovic	...	Covek u kolima (uncredited)

Directed by
Srdjan Karanovic

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Srdjan Karanovic		writer

Produced by
Zoran Cvijanovic	....	producer
Mike Downey	....	producer
Milko Josifov	....	producer
Biljana Prvanovic	....	executive producer
Sam Taylor	....	producer

Original Music by
Zoran Simjanovic

Cinematography by
Radan Popovic

Film Editing by
Branka Ceperac
Branka Pavlovic

Casting by
D. Daniel Vujic

Production Design by
Goran Joksimovic

Costume Design by
Sasa Kuljaca

Makeup Department
Visnja Karaulic	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Vladan Cvetkovic	....	unit manager
Biljana Prvanovic	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Radivoje Andric	....	assistant director
Marko Djilas	....	assistant director
Vladimir-Mica Popovic	....	assistant director

Art Department
Mirko Mijuskovic	....	property master

Sound Department
Goran Corkovic	....	boom operator
Branko Djordjevic	....	sound
Vladan Korac	....	sound (as Vladan Korac-Koki)
Zoran Stojanovic	....	boom operator

Stunts
Miomir Radevic-Pigi	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Slobodan Gojkovic	....	gaffer (as Sloba Gojkovic)
Viktor Kodnik	....	assistant camera
Drazen Mrkonja	....	second assistant camera
Nenad Vasic	....	key grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mirko Sirkovic	....	animal dresser

Editorial Department
Todor G. Todorov	....	colorist

Transportation Department
Slavko Ristic	....	driver

Other crew
Radmila Jovancicevic	....	script supervisor
Sam Lavender	....	development executive
Dusan Ristic	....	caterer

Thanks
René Clair	....	dedicatee

Production Companies

• Film and Music Entertainment
• Yodi Movie Craftsman

Distributors

• TLA Releasing (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Loving Glances (Europe: English title) (International: English title) (USA) (literal English title)

Runtime:

Canada:97 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Serbia and Montenegro | UK

Language:

Serbo-Croatian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Company:

Film and Music Entertainment

sweet and positive

This touching Serbian film deftly portrays the tragedy and confusion of the post-war Balkans, and does so with unfailing lightness and humor.

Belgrade, in the late 90's, became the refuge of a cascade of displaced persons, like handsome young Labud (swan) and Romana. They have enlisted the services of a match-maker to help them find companions.

The story is an old one – how the young couple find, lose, and ultimately keep one another – so the charm and interest of the film comes principally from the surrounding details. Labud, alone and living in a shelter, fantasizes about people from his past and has imaginary conversations with them. Among those who populate and direct his thoughts are his former fiancée (she emigrated to Chicago when war broke out), his mother, 'professor', various ancestors. Romana has her past with her, too, including her father, sister, and first love. It is a very busy film, therefore, especially when you consider all the eccentrics that also haunt the dating service.

There is much sentiment, but never a moment of sentimentality – especially surprising when one considers the loss that pervades the aftermath of armed conflict. The director makes a point of contrasting the varied pasts of his characters with the ethnic 'purity' which motivated the senseless war. He has concocted an uplifting, understated little gem with most engaging young stars.