The Abandoned (2010 film)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

''The Abandoned'' ( Bosnian: ''Ostavljeni'') is a 2010 Bosnian
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...
directed by Adis Bakrač, produced by Almir Šahinović and Marie-Anne Coste. The film is a Croatian-French co-production. It stars
Mira Furlan Mira Furlan (7 September 1955 – 20 January 2021) was a Croatian actress and singer. Internationally, she was best known for her roles as the Minbari Ambassador Delenn in the science fiction television series ''Babylon 5'' (1993–1998), and as ...
, Tony Grga,
Mirsad Tuka Mirsad Tuka (born 19 June 1965) is a Bosnian actor. He made his film debut in the comedy-drama ''Holiday in Sarajevo'' (1991). Tuka has since appeared in films such as ''Remake'' (2003), ''All for Free'' (2006), ''Cirkus Columbia'' (2010), '' The ...
, Mirela Lambić,
Dragan Marinković Dragan Marinković "Maca" (born 17 March 1968) is a Bosnian actor and TV personality. Widely known by his nickname Maca, though trained as an actor, Marinković is most notable for his outrageous personality showcased during his stints on reali ...
, Meto Jovanovski,
Zijah Sokolović Zijah Sokolović (born 22 December 1950) is a Bosnian actor, writer and director. He is the director of ''Theaterland'' in Salzburg, professor at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, artistic director of ''Dežela gledališča'' theat ...
, and was written by
Zlatko Topčić Zlatko Topčić (born 30 April 1955) is a Bosnian screenwriter, playwright and novelist. He has written a number of films, including: ''Remake'', '' The Abandoned'', '' Miracle in Bosnia''; theater plays: '' Time Out'', ''I Don't Like Mondays'', ...
. His script caught the attention of producers after winning the 2003 CineLink Screenwriting Competition. ''The Abandoned'' is the story of a boy from a home for abandoned children, who tries to find out the truth about his origins, but enters into a criminal world. The film premiered at the 45th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 8 July 2010. The film's US premiere was at the 2011
Santa Barbara International Film Festival The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day film festival held in Santa Barbara, California since 1986. The festival boasts screenings of over 200 feature films and shorts from different countries and regions. SBIFF al ...
. Tony Grga, who played a thirteen-year-old boy Alen, won the
Golden Arena for Best Actor Golden means made of, or relating to gold. Golden may also refer to: Places United Kingdom *Golden, in the parish of Probus, Cornwall * Golden Cap, Dorset *Golden Square, Soho, London *Golden Valley, a valley on the River Frome in Gloucestershi ...
in a Leading Role at the 2010
Pula Film Festival Pula Film Festival ( hr, Pulski filmski festival) is an annual Croatian film festival, established in 1954. It is held in a Roman amphitheater known as the Pula Arena. Pula Film Festival is the oldest Croatian film festival and is usually held in ...
.


Plot

The story begins in the woods in
Bosnia Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and He ...
in 1993, when a woman gives birth to a baby boy. Then, the story jumps to 2006. The boy, Alen (Tony Grga), now thirteen, lives in a children's home in
Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its a ...
. The former director of the home, Gago ( Meto Jovanovski), had told Alen that his mother was French and his father was English, and that they met as war reporters in Sarajevo, but due to the war and professional obligations they had temporarily left him in the home. Alen writes letters to his mother and gives them to educator Cica (
Mira Furlan Mira Furlan (7 September 1955 – 20 January 2021) was a Croatian actress and singer. Internationally, she was best known for her roles as the Minbari Ambassador Delenn in the science fiction television series ''Babylon 5'' (1993–1998), and as ...
), to be sent to his mother in France. However, Cica places all the letters of children in a drawer, because in reality there is no one to send them to. A new director, Mirza (
Mirsad Tuka Mirsad Tuka (born 19 June 1965) is a Bosnian actor. He made his film debut in the comedy-drama ''Holiday in Sarajevo'' (1991). Tuka has since appeared in films such as ''Remake'' (2003), ''All for Free'' (2006), ''Cirkus Columbia'' (2010), '' The ...
), who is a young and capable educator, comes to the home. Near the home is a shop owned by Šento (
Dragan Marinković Dragan Marinković "Maca" (born 17 March 1968) is a Bosnian actor and TV personality. Widely known by his nickname Maca, though trained as an actor, Marinković is most notable for his outrageous personality showcased during his stints on reali ...
), a criminal. For him, the children steal expensive items. After a failed jewel robbery, police investigate, and Alen worries that they will link him to the robbery. When he gains access to the police files, Alen discovers the real address of his mother, and he leaves the home to find her.


Cast and characters

*Tony Grga as Alen Domić, a boy from the children's home *
Mira Furlan Mira Furlan (7 September 1955 – 20 January 2021) was a Croatian actress and singer. Internationally, she was best known for her roles as the Minbari Ambassador Delenn in the science fiction television series ''Babylon 5'' (1993–1998), and as ...
as Cica, an educator *
Mirsad Tuka Mirsad Tuka (born 19 June 1965) is a Bosnian actor. He made his film debut in the comedy-drama ''Holiday in Sarajevo'' (1991). Tuka has since appeared in films such as ''Remake'' (2003), ''All for Free'' (2006), ''Cirkus Columbia'' (2010), '' The ...
as Mirza Alijagić, director of the home *Mirela Lambić as Amila, Alen's mother *
Dragan Marinković Dragan Marinković "Maca" (born 17 March 1968) is a Bosnian actor and TV personality. Widely known by his nickname Maca, though trained as an actor, Marinković is most notable for his outrageous personality showcased during his stints on reali ...
as Šento, shop owner, a criminal * Meto Jovanovski as Gago, former director of the home *
Zijah Sokolović Zijah Sokolović (born 22 December 1950) is a Bosnian actor, writer and director. He is the director of ''Theaterland'' in Salzburg, professor at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, artistic director of ''Dežela gledališča'' theat ...
as Muamer, Amila's husband * Žan Marolt as a guard *Faketa Salihbegović-Avdagić as a cook *Ejla Tarakčija-Bavčić as Mrs. Tufekčić *Nermin Omić as Mr. Tufekčić *Alma Terzić as Zana, a girl from the home *Haris Burina as Mehmed, a salesman *Alen Goro as Muamer's son *Ivana Petrović as Muamer's daughter *Rijad Mašović-Riči as drug dealer *Alija Aljović as a policeman *Nela Dženisijević as a policewoman


Production

Screenwriter
Zlatko Topčić Zlatko Topčić (born 30 April 1955) is a Bosnian screenwriter, playwright and novelist. He has written a number of films, including: ''Remake'', '' The Abandoned'', '' Miracle in Bosnia''; theater plays: '' Time Out'', ''I Don't Like Mondays'', ...
described ''The Abandoned'' as a "look at the Bosnian war through the eyes of a boy who was born not as the fruit of love, but of hatred, and is part of a whole new people, nameless and unwanted, whose mothers were raped, and the search for identity, the search for his biological parents, who, each with his or her own reasons, do not want him - him, clean, sinless, innocent in everything, uninvolved in the sins of other". Topčić wrote the screenplay in 2002 (working title of the film: ''Bare Skin''). Later, he wrote the
bestseller A bestseller is a book or other media noted for its top selling status, with bestseller lists published by newspapers, magazines, and book store chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and specialties (novel, nonfiction book, cookb ...
novel '' Bare Skin'' (2004) and the drama of the same name (2007), about the same theme.


Filming

Filming took place in
Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its a ...
and many other locations.
Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as actor ...
began in 2007.


Release

''The Abandoned'' was released worldwide on 8 July 2010, by HEFT Production and Summer Hill Films ( US). It was released to cinemas throughout
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and H ...
on 7 December 2010.


Music

Musician Vlado Podany worked on the soundtrack for the film.


Accolades


Reception


Critical response

The film garnered positive reviews. ''
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' called it the "unique artistic film". Alissa Simon of ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' praised the film emphasizing that it calls attention to "the plight of children born of rape during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina", but described it as a "well-meaning but overdone melodrama". ''Fedeora'' penned a glowing review and wrote that "the film succeeds in being both a touching personal story but also a trenchant comment on the Bosnian war". On ''
AllMovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was founded by popular-cult ...
'', it has a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars. At the 2011
Santa Barbara International Film Festival The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day film festival held in Santa Barbara, California since 1986. The festival boasts screenings of over 200 feature films and shorts from different countries and regions. SBIFF al ...
, film critic Demi Mellett said: "The director does a great job at keeping the audience enthralled in what is going on throughout the whole film. The whole movie had a overtone of gray which showed how Alen was not happy because he couldn’t figure out where his mother was. The colors, gray shade of the film, and editing all brought it together, making the film work perfectly. All in all, I really enjoyed this film and would suggest it to anyone. The angles and music choice used in ''The Abandoned'' stood out to me. The story line was intriguing and the acting was done very well". The film's world premiere was at the 45th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it received a 15-minute standing ovation.


International festival circuit

''The Abandoned'' was screened at over 80 international film festivals around the world, including the
Pula Film Festival Pula Film Festival ( hr, Pulski filmski festival) is an annual Croatian film festival, established in 1954. It is held in a Roman amphitheater known as the Pula Arena. Pula Film Festival is the oldest Croatian film festival and is usually held in ...
, Amiens International Film Festival, SEE a Paris Film Festival,
Haifa International Film Festival The Haifa International Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place every autumn (between late September and late October), during the week-long holiday of Sukkot, in Haifa, Israel. History The festival was inaugurated in 1983 and w ...
,
Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival The Tróia International Film Festival, commonly referred to as Festroia ( pt, Festival Internacional de Cinema de Tróia – Festróia) was an annual international film festival in Portugal held from 1985 to 2014. Held in the town of Setúbal and ...
,
Alexandria International Film Festival Alexandria International Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries is a film festival in Egypt. Organized by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics (EAFWC). The AIFF aims to broaden film culture and strengthen the relationship betwe ...
,
Hollywood Film Festival The Hollywood Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Los Angeles, California, USA. History The Hollywood Film Festival was established in 1997 by author and producer Carlos de Abreu and his wife, model Janice Pennington.Pete ...
,
Transilvania International Film Festival The Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF; ro, Festivalul internațional de film Transilvania) is the first international feature film festival in Romania, which is held annually in the historic capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca. Found ...
, Ljubljana International Film Festival,
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival ( cs, Mezinárodní filmový festival Karlovy Vary) is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival is one of the oldest in the world and has become ...
,
Santa Barbara International Film Festival The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day film festival held in Santa Barbara, California since 1986. The festival boasts screenings of over 200 feature films and shorts from different countries and regions. SBIFF al ...
,
St. Louis International Film Festival The St. Louis International Film Festival (also known as SLIFF or Cinema St. Louis) is an annual film festival in St. Louis, Missouri, which has been running since 1992. The coordinating organization changed its name to "Cinema St. Louis" in 200 ...
, and many other. It was screened at festivals in the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Israel, Croatia, Egypt, France, Serbia and the United States.


See also

*
List of Bosnia and Herzegovina films (This is a full list of films produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country existed for centuries and after World War II was part of Yugoslavia for 45 years. For an A-Z list see :Bosnia and Herzegovina films) Because Bosnia and Herzegovina was ...


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Abandoned, The 2010 films Bosnia and Herzegovina drama films Films directed by Adis Bakrač Bosnian-language films 2010 drama films Films set in Sarajevo Films with screenplays by Zlatko Topčić Films about rape