EXCLUSIVE: Trailer for Berlinale Generation entry Sandbag Dam
by Cineuropa
- The second feature by Croatian filmmaker Čejen Černić Čanak, a story about a forbidden love set in a village threatened by the swollen rivers, is being sold by The Open Reel

Upon his return home for his father's funeral, Slaven revives his relationship with his childhood friend, young sportsman Marko, his teenage love and the reason his father kicked him out of the house. Now tempted to reunite, they need to make peace with their own decisions and struggle against familial restraints.
Sandbag Dam [+see also:
trailer
film profile] is the second feature by Croatian filmmaker Čejen Černić Čanak, the world premiere of which is taking place in the Generation section of the upcoming Berlin International Film Festival (13-23 February).
In the words of the director, “This is a story about gay love but also about any kind of misunderstood, condemned, ostracised love. I wanted to build up the emotion by staying close to my characters, two very young men who, because of their relationship, feel family rejection, social condemnation and even a threat to their existence. The external circumstances such as the flood that threatens the village are used as metaphorical images for the tightening of the hoop around them, but also as a metaphor for this society that keeps neglecting and ignoring problems, instead of facing up to them and moving forward. Being different, which in our story translates to being gay, is condemned without a second thought. Without trying to understand, acknowledge or tolerate. This is why I find this subject very important, and I hope I have managed to film an emotional story that will reach and teach the hearts and minds of wider audiences.”
Čejen Černić Čanak has directed a number of short films, animations, fictions and documentaries. In 2017, she directed her debut feature, The Mystery of Green Hill, based on the children's novel by Ivan Kušan, which topped her country's box-office list in the first week of distribution and was presented at more than 25 international film festivals.
The film stars Lav Novosel, Andrija Žunac, Leon Grgić, Franka Mikolaci, Tanja Smoje, Alma Prica, Filip Šovagović and Luka Baškarad. It has been produced by Ankica Jurić Tilić, Hrvoje Pervan and Dragan Jurić for Kinorama (Croatia), in co-production with Tremora (Lithuania) and Perfo Production (Slovenia). International sales are handled by The Open Reel.
Check out our exclusive trailer below:
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