Across three decades, Dalibor Matanic artistically chronicles the personal tragedies caused by the ethnic conflicts of the Yugoslavian wars. Told through three disparate love stories—set in 1991, 2001, and 2011—and employing the same actors to play different star-crossed lovers, Matanic charts the emotional tenor of the former Yugoslavia by focusing on intimate and unique stories marked by innocence, bitterness, and anger. Expertly edited, beautifully shot, and heart-wrenchingly told, The High Sun was the winner of Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and was Croatia’s Oscar Entry.
Press
"The acting shines brightly in three love stories told with absorbing passion." - Hollywood Reporter
”Setting each of the stories on glorious summer days provides a ready visual contrast to the dark undercurrents of intolerance.” - Screen Daily
"Handsomely mounted and expertly edited" - Variety
Director's Statment
The High Sun celebrates selflessness and love – the very best of human nature that is still struggling to re-emerge victorious in our region. Because there is one thing I am sure about: at the end of the day, politics and extreme nationalism never win. Love does.
Director's Bio
Dalibor Matanic was born in Zagreb in 1975. He holds a degree in Film and Television Directing from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb. He made his award-winning feature debut The Cashier Wants to go to the Seaside in 2000, based on his own screenplay. His second feature, Fine Dead Girls, won the Grand Prix, Audience Award and Critics’ Award at the national film festival in 2002. Other features include 100 Minutes of Glory; Kino Lika (awarded at Montpelier 2008, Alexandria, Noordelijk Film Festival, Festival del cinema Europeo and Pula Film Festival, and screened at thirty other film festivals); I Love You, Mother of Asphalt (Grand Prix and two other awards at FIPA Biarritz), Daddy and Handymen. One of his most successful works is his short entitled Tulum / Party, that premiered at Cannes film festival, Critic’s Week in 2009 and later won 18 film awards at national and international festivals.