24/02/2025 - BERLINALE 2025: Childhood friends turn lovers in Čejen Černić Čanak’s tender drama, which is high on tension and arm-wrestling

Lav Novosel and Andrija Žunac in Sandbag Dam

It’s time for big love in a small village in Čejen Černić Čanak’s Berlinale Generation 14plus entry Sandbag Dam [+see also:
trailer
interview: Čejen Černić Čanak
film profile], but you wouldn’t actually know it. This particular infatuation is hidden, buried and long-forgotten. At least that’s what the parents of Marko and Slaven (Lav Novosel and Andrija Žunac) are hoping.

They used to be childhood friends. When friendship turned into attraction, as witnessed by Marko’s mother, all hell broke loose. For a while, things calmed down: Slaven left the country. But now, his disapproving father has died, and he’s back. The Croatian director, who has a good eye and a dry sense of humour, doesn’t need flashbacks or too many explanations to make it clear why they were forced apart. In this village, physical strength is the only language you are allowed to speak as a guy. Hilariously enough, everyone keeps on arm-wrestling every other minute, trying to out-man each other.

And they have to, the poor bastards – they can’t just openly talk to each other. Their parents certainly don’t, and neither do Marko and Slaven. Černić Čanak understands this, so she waits for them patiently. Marko was hurt by his friend’s sudden departure. “A bunny left, without even saying goodbye,” he admits while telling a bedtime story to his little brother. For a while, he can’t even look Slaven in the eye. He needs time, but the chemistry is still undeniable.

It’s terrific casting: Novosel, with curls to die for, deftly sells the dilemma of a jock who could easily run this entire place. After all, his future is already decided – he’s supposed to stay and help his dad out with his business. He’s the popular kid, with a nice girlfriend who sends him risqué pics and a bunch of loud friends, and he’s worked for his position – but he’s also in love with a boy. Meanwhile, Žunac is the quiet type, a bit of a loner, and yet they just fit. It’s all about tension here: growing sexual attraction, and fear of violence and rejection. The whole village is waiting for something to happen: for this relationship to finally explode in everyone’s faces or for the nearby river to flood.

Černić Čanak could be lauded for many things here, but especially for not following the usual route of horrific LGBTQ+ stories set in countries that still have a long way to go, at least tolerance-wise. She’s honest, ready to show how ugly people can be when they’re scared of something they don’t understand. But she also brings warmth and tenderness to a story about first love – and sex. These boys can wait all they want; they can wrestle and play, and pretend they’re still just two kids, but it’s a force that cannot be stopped. Just like that temperamental local river, rising every day.

Sandbag Dam was produced by Kinorama (Croatia), Tremora (Lithuania) and Perfo Production (Slovenia). Its world sales are overseen by The Open Reel.

Photogallery 19/02/2025: Berlinale 2025 - Sandbag Dam

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Čejen Černić Čanak
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