Variety Critics’ Choice: Europe Now! 2014 / Razredni sovražnik / Slovenia 2013
In this compelling Slovenian debut, a group of teens blame their demanding new German teacher when one of their classmates commits suicide. As a colossal battle of wills unfolds at the high school, director Rok Biček balances tension and suspense, making each encounter between class and instructor crackle with the possibility of violence.
In this compelling Slovenian debut, a group of teens blame their demanding new German teacher and his demeaning methods when one of their classmates commits suicide. As a colossal battle of wills unfolds at the high school, director Rok Biček demonstrates an impressive control of tension and suspense, making each encounter between class and instructor crackle with the possibility of violence. Biček capitalizes on the differences in energy among the teens (carefully cast and rehearsed non-pros) and the adults (portrayed by professional thesps), while the generational divide between the students and the school administration reflects a general dissatisfaction within contemporary Slovenian society. Positioning newcomer Robert (Igor Samobor) as a German teacher sets up his characterization as a Nazi by the kids, while his lessons from Thomas Mann comment on suicide in a way that not only antagonizes the students but gets them thinking.
Alissa Simon
112 min / Color, DCP
Director Rok Biček
/ Screenplay Nejc Gazvoda, Rok Biček, Janez Lapajne
/ Dir. of Photography Fabio Stoll
/ Music Frédéric Chopin
/ Editor Janez Lapajne, Rok Biček
/ Producer Aiken Veronika Prosenc, Janez Lapajne
/ Production Triglav film
/ Cast Igor Samobor, Nataša Barbara Gračner, Tjaša Zeleznik
/ Contact Triglav film
Rok Biček (b. 1985, Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia) studied at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television (AGRFT) in Ljubljana, and was first introduced to the world of film as a prominent student at Janez Lapajne’s PoEtika program. It was Lapajne who coproduced his feature debut Class Enemy and also co-wrote the script. During his studies, Biček made one documentary and four short feature films, which garnered several awards.
Triglav film
Bernikova 3, SI 1230, Domžale
Slovenia
E-mail: [email protected]
Nerina Kocjancić
Film Institution Rep.
Rok Biček
Film Director
Jožko Rutar
Distributor, Producer, Service Company Rep.
Kangjing Qiu
Actor
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