Culture
OU Professor’s Film Wins Big In London
By: Amy Elyse Brighter
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Ohio University Eminent Professor of Film Rajko Grlic has added another prestigious award to his collection.
Grlic’s film Just Between Us received the Best International Feature award at London’s Raindance Film Festival. The award ceremony was held at the Apollo Cinema in Piccadilly Circus on Saturday, Oct. 8.
The award is the 20th for the film, including Best Director and Best European Film at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, Best Feature and Best Actor at the 2010 GSIFF New York International Film Festival, and seven awards at the Pula Film Festival in Croatia. The film is currently being screened in 26 countries.
Grlic wrote and directed Just Between Us, which was released in 2010. It follows the story of two brothers, their families and their lovers, and draws into question the nature of marriage and monogamy. The film was inspired by the rumors, gossip and urban legends that appear in every society.
“Every town has legends about people living double lives,” said Grlic. “That’s where we started.”
A native of Croatia, Grlic studied film directing at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. As a student, he was greatly influenced by European films of the 1960s and the old masters of cinema.
“Every film student falls in love with a new director every second week,” he said.
Winning festival awards is crucial in a film’s success, according to Grlic.
“A professor of mine told me once to accept every award and be grateful,” he said. “It is good for your ego and good for distribution.”
Grlic leaves it to the audience to decide what to take away from his films.
“I am offering a story which has many layers,” said Grlic. “It is like a big Kroger; you enter and you choose.”
For more information about Just Between Us, visit http://www.justbetweenusmovie.com/en/.