Macedonian filmmaker Igor Aleksov has started shooting The Secret of the Bare Hill (Goliot Rid/Голиот Рид), his sophomore feature, a contemporary thriller-drama with elements of horror and fantasy that blurs the line between reality and imagination.

The story follows a mysterious woman returning to her childhood home. Soon after her return, a sudden series of unexplained deaths among the local elite forces a cynical inspector to uncover a terrifying secret that has been buried for 15 years.

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The cast is led by Anastasija Lasovska in the role of the mysterious woman, alongside internationally established thesps Tony Naumovski (Lena and Vladimir) and Simeon Moni Damevski (God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya). The cast also features Zoran Ljutkov (Spare Parts), Stefan Vujisic, Filip Trajkovic (Kaymak), Daniela Ivanovska, Adem Karaga (Waterdrop), Zlatko Mitreski, Aleksandar Mikic (Secret Ingredient) and Goce Andonov, as well as other young actors.

Aleksov directs from a screenplay by Goce Cvetanovski and Alek Rusjakov. The Secret of the Bare Hill marks Aleksov’s second feature, following Lena and Vladimir, which premiered in 2023 at the closing of the Manaki Brothers International Cinematographer’s Film Festival in Bitola and subsequently enjoyed a theatrical release. The film went on to receive awards at international festivals.

The movie’s remaining 22 shooting days will take place until the end of August at several locations in Skopje and the surrounding area. Pre-shooting was carried out over several days last December in Ohrid. Dusan Kardalevski serves as director of photography, as he did on Aleksov’s debut, with Sime Atanasijevik as production designer, Zaklina Krstevska as costume designer and Zhaneta Dimitrievska as make-up artist.

The Secret of the Bare Hill is a Macedonian-Kosovar-Serbian co-production staged by Bogdan Joncevski for Skopje-based City Star Production, with Naser Rafuna for Prishtina-based OnBros and Miloš Đukelić for Belgrade-based Red Production serving as co-producers. The project is supported by the North Macedonia Film Agency, while its premiere for audiences and on the festival circuit is expected next year.