VIDEO: Film ‘Tragovi’ selected as Croatian Oscar candidate

Dubravka Turic (Photo credit: HDFD)

Zagreb, September 6 – Every year, the Croatian Society of Film Professionals selects a feature film to represent Croatia in the competition for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

On September 5, 2023, the committee responsible for choosing the film decided that “Tragovi” (Traces) directed by Dubravka Turić and produced by Kinorama with producer Ankica Jurić Tilić, would be the representative of Croatian cinema at the 96th Academy Awards.

“Tragovi” marks Dubravka Turić’s feature film directorial debut, which had its world premiere at last year’s International Film Festival in Warsaw. Subsequently, the film was screened at numerous European and global festivals such as the Black Nights in Tallinn, the Mediterranean Film Festival in Valencia (Mostra de València), the Belgrade FEST, and the Santa Barbara Film Festival. It has also garnered numerous awards, including Best Film at the Paris European Film Festival, Best Director at the Ischia Film Festival, Best Actress at the Sopot Film Festival, Best Foreign Film, Special Recognition for Best Direction, and Special Recognition for Best Leading Actress at the Unrestricted Film Festival, along with three Golden Arenas at the Pula Film Festival for editing, sound design by Dubravka Premar, and makeup by Snježana Gorup, among many others.

The official proclamation of the candidate was made by Ksenija Marinković, the President of the Croatian Society of Film Professionals. “It is a great honor to be chosen as the Croatian representative for the Academy Awards. The film has already been in cinemas in Croatia and had its initial screenings at two A-list film festivals – in Warsaw and Tallinn, followed by a rich festival life with many awards,” stated Dubravka Turić.

Chris Marcich, the Director of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, congratulated the team and pledged that the Croatian Audiovisual Centre would make maximum efforts to promote the film using all available resources.

“Tragovi” follows the story of a scientist named Ana, portrayed by Marija Škaričić, who, as the last surviving member of a once-large family, faces a personal crisis. Her anthropological research becomes intertwined with her sense of loss, and through a series of coincidences, the traces and symbols on medieval tombstones become her guide out of her own trauma.

In addition to Marija Škaričić in the lead role, notable performances are delivered by Nikša Butijer, Mate Gulin, Lana Barić, and Tvrtko Jurić. In addition to directing, Dubravka Turić, together with Danijel Žeželj, co-wrote the screenplay and edited the film. The cinematographer is Damjan Radovanović, the production designer is Tajana Čanić Stanković, the costume designer is Željka Franulović, the makeup artist is Snježana Gorup, the composer is Jonas Jurkūnas, and the sound designer is Dubravka Premar. The film is produced by Ankica Jurić Tilić.

Ksenija Marinković, Dubravka Turic and Chris Marcich (Photo credit: HDFD)

This year, the committee had to choose among four submitted films: “The Cricket and the Ant” directed by Luka Rukavina, “Garbura” directed by Josip Žuvan, “Pelican” directed by Filip Heraković, and “Traces” directed by Dubravka Turić.