The Conversation

The opening sequences of the movie made me think that I might be in for a real treat. Cinematography and music in the movie are excellent and the general idea of the movie is worthwhile and very interesting.

The story revolves around the only conversation that took place between the 2 important figures in Croatian history: communist dictator Tito and Catholic cardinal Stepinac who was wrongfully imprisoned and eventually gradually poisoned by Tito. Communists led by Tito replaced one totalitarianism with another one and in the process tried to squash Croatian dream of independence and freedom. They tried for 50 years, killed, imprisoned and chased away hundreds of thousands of Croatians and eventually they failed. Cardinal Stepinac represents Croatian backbone during the time under communism.

The main problem with the movie is that Stepinac and Tito are falsely portrayed: Tito as refined and intelligent and Stepinac as insecure and doubtful. This is completely opposite of what they were like. Intellectually, Stepinac was undoubtedly superior to Tito. Anyone who read at least something of what these 2 people wrote and spoke knows this. Apparently, the writer/director Dominik Sedlar does not because Tito dominates the conversation intellectually. I hope it is only ignorance but I think it is not because even the moral superiority of cardinal Stepinac is not clear from the conversation.

Another big problem is the fabricated love story that simply does not belong here and is actually the main vehicle of portraying Stepinac as unsecure even about choosing to accept God's calling to his priesthood. This could not be further from the truth and it is actually quite scandalous particularly in the way it was presented. Imagine a wife of some historical person who was imprisoned and poisoned for her love watching a movie where her husband was falsely presented as if he was actually maybe in love with his ex girlfriend. Well, this is a far worse case than that because there are so many people that Stepinac gave his life for out of his wholehearted love of God. He did so knowingly, peacefully and courageously. This movie shamefully tries to question this instead of portraying it as heroically as it really was.

First let's be clear. The film leans to the political right option, but I somehow expected that from Sedlar.

The film will not change my opinion of Stepinac and Tito, so I can dedicate myself to the performance and the overall impression, which is: VERY GOOD!

This is a film that looks like it was not shot in Croatia! Actors are great. Especially Caspar Phillipson in the role of Tito. The story is interesting (though not completely true-although I don't mind). Dominik Sedlar wrote a script that can be followed from beginning to end without being bored! He paid a lot of attention to Stepinac's Maria Horvat, which is an excellent choice. Those scenes are beautifully directed and very emotional. Although someone will resent that they look like a music video. I will not agree with them!

These scenes have a dramaturgical vindication to be exactly as they are.

After all, these scenes are memories and fantasies!

The Conversation was filmed to look like an American adaptation of an event and that's a big difference to begin with.

To write and direct a film with practically only two characters for 109 minutes, it takes skill and courage!

And finally, the younger Sedlar is an immensely better director than his father.

Well done!

I am shocked that in 2022 there is a movie that is true to what happened in history! We need more of this ! Bravo again. Hollywood should learn from this movie that when there is a compelling engaging story you do not need "big names" and lots of special effects. Thank you Dominik Sedlar.

Someone says that this movie is politically right wing oriented. What does that mean? Do we now live in an age where being truthful is now "right wing"?

People that worked on this movie did the maximum with such a simple concept that is a single conversation. The actors are great and I hope Dominik Sedlar will be able to do more film with this quality and with a bigger budget next time.