Kristian Novak’s Novel ‘Dark Mother Earth’ Sets Film Adaptation From Oscar-Nominated ‘The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent’ Director (EXCLUSIVE)

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Nebojša Slijepčević, the director behind the Academy Award-nominated short film “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent,” is currently developing a full-length adaptation of Kristian Novak’s novel “Dark Mother Earth.” This information has been obtained exclusively by EbMaster.

Titled “Dark Mother Earth,” this novel delves into the life of amnesiac author Matija, who’s grappling with a significant memory gap. As he pens his third book, Matija is compelled to unravel the enigma of his past and the fabricated truths he’s spun through distorted recollections and fictional tales throughout the years. In 2013, this compelling work was honored with the Tportal Prize as the Croatian Novel of the Year.

I found this piece particularly impactful,” I’d share. “It delves into both personal and general experiences of childhood and past traumas. While it can be viewed through a political lens, focusing on the Balkan nations’ struggles during the ’90s, it also serves as a deeply personal story. It sheds light on the repercussions of childhood trauma and how it manifests in one’s later life.

Titled “Dark Mother Earth”, this marks Slijepčević’s debut full-length film, co-written by Nadia Petrovic. The production will be handled by Antitalent, Contrast Films, Les Films Norfolk, and Studio Virc – the same international studios that collaborated on “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”. Antitalent holds the book’s production rights.

The Unyielding Voice”

This groundbreaking piece titled “The Unyielding Voice” left an indelible mark on Slijepčević’s homeland, being Croatia’s inaugural Oscar nomination since its independence in 1991. Spanning just 13 minutes, this short film is a retelling of actual events, focusing on a fateful train journey during the 1993 Bosnian War, where Tomo Buzov chose to defy the odds and intervene, attempting to save Muslims from being massacred. However, it’s the silence of others that transforms this narrative into a poignant exploration of the bystander.

As a movie connoisseur, I found this tale to be astonishingly relatable to current global events. It wasn’t merely a historical account set in the past for me; it felt strikingly contemporary.

Following its victory at the Palme d’Or for short film at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent” has since garnered additional accolades. It was awarded Best European Short at the European Film Awards and is now nominated in the Best Live Action Short category at the Oscars, alongside films such as “Anuja,” “I’m Not a Robot,” “A Lien,” and “The Last Ranger.

Slijepčević aims to begin pre-production on “Dark Mother Earth” in 2026.

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2025-02-12 20:17