In her directorial debut, Sonja Tarokic adeptly tackles the complexities of children's education, exploring the intricate dynamics between various groups involved - school managers, teachers, professional staff, the competent ministry, students, and parents.
"The film, as Tarokic herself noted, revolves around a new pedagogue in an elementary school. Spanning one school year, it chronicles her first year at the school and her psychological evolution during this period. While not markedly different from other teachers in the staffroom, she stands out for her enthusiasm and dedication to progress. The central theme of the film is the gradual onset of defeatism in life." The protagonist, Anamarija (played fantastically by Marina Redzepovic), approaches her first permanent job at an elementary school near Zagreb with professionalism, demonstrating a high degree of empathy as she tackles the students' challenges. However, the true challenge lies not with the students but with the system, personified by the teaching staff and particularly the school principal.
The narrative delves into Anamarija's relationship with a history professor (superbly portrayed by Stojan Matavulj), who suffers from a psychotic disorder. He is ostracized by fellow teachers, criticized by parents for deviating from the curriculum, and kept in check by the manipulative principal (also excellently portrayed by Nives Ivankovic) due to the competent ministry's lack of interest in addressing his behavior. Anamarija strives to shield the children from his toxic influence, which stems from his trauma.
The film poignantly highlights a sad reality by featuring a relatively small number of children, with a focus on those with problematic behavior, such as the character Lovro.
Noteworthy is the film's surprisingly high-quality ethnic musical backdrop provided by the folklore ensemble Lado, complemented by the artistic paintings of the renowned Croatian naive painter Ivan Generalic.
Overall, Sonja Tarokic's impressive directorial debut showcases her talent and potential, setting high expectations for her future projects.
