After Maja's divorce, she and her son Jan relocate to a small town. Jan becomes a victim of bullying, Maja encounters hostility, and Jan finds comfort in a mysterious man. However, seeking solace comes at a price as they navigate the challenges of their new life.
Role Model is an absurdist tale about absurd times, questioning whether it is possible for us to go back and, if that is no longer possible, how to live in a reality with new rules.
“This is a film about a very specific period, the middle of 2021. At the same time, the film is my journey into the years of primary school and adolescence, which with each passing year seems more unusual, unnatural, just like the time we currently live in after the horrifying 2020,” says director Nejc Gazvoda in a statement.
The main roles are played by the newcomer France Mandić, joined by renowned Slovenian actors such as Mojca Funkl, Jure Henigman, Vesna Pernarčič, Marko Mandić and Maša Žilavec, among others.
Role Model was produced by Andrej Štritof and Aleš Pavlin through Perfo Production (Slovenia), in coproduction with Evolution Films (Czech Republic), La Sarraz Pictures (Italy), Biberche (Serbia), Zvokarna and FS Viba Film. The budget was 863,906 EUR, producer Aleš Pavlin told FNE.
The project was supported by the Slovenian Film Centre, the Czech Film Fund and the Italian Ministry of Culture.
World sales are held by Perfo Production.
Nejc Gazvoda (1985) is a director, screenwriter, and novelist, who received the Prešeren Award (the highest university recognition) for his diploma work in film and television directing at AGRFT. His debut feature A Trip (2011, Perfo Production) received awards at numerous international film festivals and was nominated for the Slovenian Academy Award. As a screenwriter, he participated in Janez Lapajne's Personal Baggage (2009, Triglav film) and Rok Biček's Class Enemy (2013, Triglav film).
Production Information:
Producer:
Perfo Production (Slovenia)
Aleš Pavlin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Coproducers:
Evolution Films (Czech Republic)
La Sarraz Pictures (Italy)
Biberche (Serbia)
Zvokarna (Slovenia)
FS Viba Film (Slovenia)
Credits:
Director: Nejc Gazvoda
Screenwriters: Nejc Gazvoda, Tomislav Zajec
DoP: Jan Šuster
Composer: Janja Lončar
Editor: Andrej Avanzo
Production designer: Iris Čeh
Costume designer: Katarina Šavs
Make-up artist: Anita Ferčak
Sound designer: Boštjan Kačičnik
Cast: France Mandić, Mojca Funkl, Jure Henigman, Vesna Pernarčič, Klara Kuk, Marina Redžepović, Matej Puc, Luka Cimprič, Marko Engelman, Mirjam Korbar, Djuna Greta Vidrih, Arne Bilbija, Maša Žilavec, Alenka Kraigher, Daša Doberšek, Špela Rozin, Jerica Pezdič, Marko Mandić
