The bruising life of a Roma teen takes on shades of Hamlet in this poignant and beautifully rendered humanist drama spliced with moments of magical realism. The story of 14-year-old Adam who, after the death of his father, tries to find his way in life, bears the typical traits of the stories of dozens of Roma adolescents who grew up in the poor settlements of Eastern Slovakia. Adam's responsibility as new head of the family, which he is prepared to assume at the cost of personal sacrifice, is taken away by a person for whom Adam has no respect. When everything he believed in collapses around him and he is left alone to struggle with evil, he simply cannot find a way out.
The film illustrates the outsider status of Roma in Slovakia without being didactic or naive. The authors spent months earning the trust of families in various settlements and managed to eschew stereotypes and create well-rounded characters.
"During the shooting, I was able to leave many of the scenes to the Roma. They sensed what is true and what is a lie." (Martin Šulík)
Awards:
Karlovy Vary IFF 2011 (Special Jury Award, Don Quijote Award, Special Mention, Label Europa Cinemas)
This film is brought to you by the association Amitiés Tchèque et Slovaque Luxembourg (www.atsl.lu)