The tourism industry provides joy and escape to many, but it can also push the people working in it to the margins. in Petty thievesthe feature-length directorial debut of Croatian director Matej Oğrin, which has its world premiere in the Proxima Competition of the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) on Sunday 5 July, we meet two of them.
“It’s summer, and the tourist season on the Adriatic is in full swing,” reads the film’s synopsis. “Loner Ryo earns extra money as a kitchen assistant at a local hotel, but he also commits petty thefts at the expense of foreign visitors. When young worker Andrea learns of his theft, the two reach an unusual agreement: they will steal together and share the profits. But this practical alliance grows into an unexpected rapprochement.”
Press notes for Petty thieves I mention that the sexual exploration and love affair also add longing and tenderness to the themes explored in the film. They also highlighted that “petty thefts are not just acts of rebellion, but signs of solidarity between people with limited power.” “Underneath lies a feeling of alienation, arising from precarious work and the difficulty of feeling at home in a place that seems to exist mainly for visitors.”
The cast is led by Gavrilo Jović, Ty Ljubšić, Snijjana Sinović and Izodin Bajrović.
Director Ogren has previously attracted attention with his short films. His last short work, Everything is ahead (2021), premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where it won the Heart of Sarajevo Award for Best Short Film. Ogren also wrote the screenplay and produced with Daria Blazevic, Petty thieveswhose cinematographer is Ivan Markovich. The editor is Jelena Maksimovic. Cercamon handles sales.
In the trailer for Petty thievesany THR Premiering exclusively below, we get a first sense of the very different worlds inhabited by tourists and some locals in a village in central Istria. While some may have fun at sea, Rio has all sorts of issues to deal with, especially family problems. The trailer also shows a glimpse of his first interaction with Andrea and delivers a healthy dose of melancholy.
You may not be able to dive into the sea. But no one can rob you of the opportunity to dive in for a sneak peek. So, check out the trailer for Petty thieves less.
