Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 7 pm
The first Film Curriculum of the season on Tuesday, 13 October at 7 pm at the Cultural and Information Centre presents two different perspectives on the Croatian countryside. Rudolf Sremec's poetic documentary film Black Waters (1956) highlights the beauty of nature and the coexistence of people with the natural world. It is one of the first Croatian films to receive a major international award (for Frane Vodopivec's cinematography at the Cannes Film Festival). Fedora Hanžeković's cult feature film, Master of His Own Body (1957), on the other hand, highlights the social and moral backwardness of life in the countryside of the past. The screenplay for this striking blend of drama and comedy was written by the writer Slavko Kolar, who was well acquainted with the Kajkavian village.
Before the screening, the introductory remarks will be delivered by Dr Domagoj Brozović, lecturer in the history of Croatian film at the Faculty of Croatian Studies. Admission to the screening is free.
The Film Curriculum programme is a classic of Croatian cinema, intended for students of the history of Croatian film at Zagreb universities and for all citizens interested in familiarising themselves with the Croatian film heritage. The programme was created in collaboration with the Croatian Film Archive – a department of the Croatian State Archives, the Cultural and Information Centre, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (the Film Literacy project) and lecturers in the history of Croatian film at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Faculty of Croatian Studies and the Faculty of Humanities.
BLACK WATERS (short documentary, 1956, 13 min)
Directed by: Rudolf Sremec
Screenplay: Ivo Vrbanić, Rudolf Sremec
Cinematography: Frano Vodopivec
It describes the Kopački Rit nature park, its poetic beauty and its dramatic contrasts. People influence the life of the park, but do not destroy it.
MASTER OF HIS OWN BODY (feature film, 1957, 100 min)
Directed by: Fedor Hanžeković
Screenplay: Slavko Kolar
Cinematography: Oktavijan Miletić
Cast: Marija Kohn, Mladen Šerment, Julije Perlaki, Nela Eržišnik, Viktor Bek, Ivo Pajić, Vanja Timer, Marija Aleksić, August Cilić
To make up for the loss of the family cow, which died through his neglect, the poor Iva is forced to marry the lame but wealthy Roža. With the dowry comes a cow called Pisava. Out of spite towards his father, who compelled him into the marriage, Iva refuses to consummate it, driving the unfortunate Roža to despair…