As a film enthusiast who’s been around the block a few times, I can’t help but be captivated by the upcoming project “Uptight Ass”. Having seen Matija Gluščević and Dušan Zorić’s previous collaboration, “Have You Seen This Woman?”, I’m eagerly anticipating their latest work. It’s not every day you come across a film that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics and gender roles, especially in Serbian society.
Following the successful debut of “Mexico 86,” directed by César Díaz and starring Bérénice Béjo, at Locarno’s Piazza Grande and winning the Camera d’Or at Cannes, Tripode Productions from France is now involved in co-producing the upcoming film “Uptight Ass.” This project is helmed by writer-director Matija Gluščević and co-writer Dušan Zorić, who previously collaborated on the movie “Have You Seen This Woman?”, which was screened at Venice Critics’ Week in 2022.
The movie, showcased at the CineLink Co-Production Market during the Sarajevo Film Festival, chronicles the story of a self-absorbed and emotionally guarded middle-aged teacher. As his father falls ill, he is forced to embark on an introspective journey, unearthing the love and vulnerability he has long concealed within himself.
“I’m a huge fan of the show ‘Uptight Ass,’ which was brilliantly created by Čarna Vučinić for Naked, the production company she co-founded with Gluščević and Zorić in Belgrade. It was also produced in collaboration with Guillaume Dreyfus from Tripode and Tena Gojić of Dinaridi Film based in Croatia.”
In his director’s note, Gluščević referred to the film as a deeply personal narrative that delves into the complex emotions associated with his family ties. He admitted that a sense of unease always follows him when he returns to his hometown. Despite feeling an increasing urge to demonstrate his affection towards his parents, he finds himself growing more distant and irritable towards them. Even after his father fell ill, Gluščević struggled to express his emotions effectively.
Using a more conversational tone, “With the title ‘Uptight Ass,’ he aims to delve into the themes of masculinity and self-identity by focusing on familial relationships, particularly the dynamic between fathers and sons, and the societal expectation for [the character] Savo to act as the head of the family.”
The movie extends Gluščević’s investigation into the preconceived notions and stereotypes tied to gender roles, not just within Serbian culture but globally. “Have You Seen This Woman?” offers an unusual three-part narrative that depicts various life scenarios for a middle-aged woman who finds herself confined by the roles her patriarchal community seeks to enforce upon her.
Discussing their upcoming film with EbMaster prior to its Venice debut, Gluščević and Zorić expressed a desire to portray the tales of women in midlife, a group seldom featured in cinema or relegated to secondary roles serving others. They described this as a reflection of our contemporary society.
Vucinic, responsible for the production of the film at Non-Aligned Films based in Belgrade, concurred, characterizing it as “a unique addition to Serbian cinema that was previously absent.”
“[Gluščević and Zorić] have a knack for innovating storytelling and structure,” she noted. “Their work consistently moves beyond boundaries, demonstrating a unique ability to portray characters authentically without resorting to stereotypes. They show particular interest in highlighting individuals often overlooked within our society.”
Guillaume Dreyfus, one of the co-founders of Tripode Productions (alongside Delphine Schmit in 2019), praised Gluščević as an exceptionally unique filmmaker with great potential hailing from Serbia.
I found myself captivated by the debut piece of this talented creator, ‘Have You Seen This Woman?’ It’s not just engaging and ingenious, but it delves into significant matters that transcend the borders of the Balkans. His forthcoming work, ‘Uptight Ass,’ promises to be a blend of political, emotional, and thought-provoking elements – qualities we highly appreciate. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with him and his producer Čarna Vučinić on this exciting project.
Tena Gojic from co-producer Dinaridi stated: “Working alongside Matija on his first film ‘Have You Seen This Woman?’ was both professionally and personally rewarding, so I’m thrilled that we are now working on his next project. This new venture is certain to make a significant impact on the cinematography of our region and beyond once more.”
“Matija is an adventurous film director who never shies away from experimenting to create unique cinematic expressions,” she noted. “He’s surrounded by a reliable and committed team, and Čarna is a producer I admire, as she has a keen eye for movies with that special ‘something’.”
Gluščević, who penned the script over a five-year span while waiting for financing and production of his first film, stated that “Uptight Ass” will be a unique blend of formal structure, narrative style, and visual aesthetics, incorporating camp elements, odd camera angles, and an exaggerated portrayal of masculinity in certain characters to enhance its dreamlike atmosphere. Vučinić characterized the movie as a drama-thriller infused with surrealism, where it becomes challenging to distinguish reality from the protagonist’s imagination.
A few alumni from a film school, including Vučinić, Gluščević, and Zorić, established Naked as a platform for their own creative endeavors and to collaborate with filmmakers hailing from Southeast Europe. As noted by Vučinić, there is an abundance of talented storytellers emerging from this region.
“She commended her fellow co-founders, stating: ‘They’re exceptionally innovative directors, displaying an extraordinary sense of style. It may seem straightforward, but I’ve never collaborated with anyone who had such a powerful creative vision. They consistently challenge traditional norms and filmmaking patterns.’ “
The Sarajevo Film Festival runs Aug. 16 – 23.
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2024-08-13 11:47