After 'Svadba', 'Koke' Arrive: New Domestic Hit Draws 10,520 Viewers
Igor Jelinović's feature film has been packing Croatian cinemas since July 23, and left the Pula Film Festival with a string of top awards.
Igor Jelinović's feature film has been packing Croatian cinemas since July 23, and left the Pula Film Festival with a string of top awards.
Domestic audiences have a new reason to celebrate this summer. The film "Koke", directed and written by Igor Jelinović, has attracted 10,520 people to Croatian cinemas since its regular release on July 23. This production, backed by Zagreb-based production house Eclectica, quickly became one of the most-watched domestic titles of the season, with distribution handled by Kino Mediteran.
The film had its world premiere in Rotterdam as part of the Bright Future program, followed by a major success at the 73rd Pula Film Festival. There, "Koke" took home the Big Golden Arena for Best Film, the Golden Arena for Best Screenplay (awarded to Jelinović), the Golden Arena for Best Leading Actress (Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov), the Golden Arena for Best Supporting Actress (Aleksandra Janković), and the Kino Mreža Award for the best Croatian film in upcoming distribution.
Screenings continue across the country-from the coast, to the islands, to the continental part-and many are selling out, with extra tickets being sought. During the summer, the creative and acting team is touring cinemas, engaging with audiences and participating in post-screening discussions, as stated in the official press release.
"Audience reactions show that this humorous family drama about the struggle for family inheritance is even closer to domestic viewers than expected. In its characters, old grievances, and small family wars over what is 'ours,' many recognize their own experiences. Because, it seems, almost everyone has their own Koka-and their own version of the story about who gets what," said producer Rea Rajčić.
After winning over domestic audiences, the film is now preparing for the regional scene. The regional premiere is scheduled for the Sarajevo Film Festival, in the prestigious Open Air Premiere program, and it will also be shown in the official competition section of the Herceg Novi Film Festival.
"Koke" was produced by Zagreb's Eclectica, known for the hit "Svadba" by Igor Šeregi, with Serbian company Baš Čelik as co-producer. The project was supported by Creative Europe - MEDIA Sub-program, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Croatian Radiotelevision, the City of Split, and the Film Centre of Serbia.
