Ready to enter a world of fantasy? Actually, let me rephrase that: Ready to enter the world of Fantasy? If you are, buckle up for a coming-of-age ride with all sorts of twists focused on a group of outsiders, courtesy of Slovenian director Kukla, whose debut feature Fantasy world premieres at the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival. Based on the filmmaker’s short Sisters, it will debut in the Filmmakers of the Present lineup on Aug. 8
“Mihrije, Sina, and Jasna are best friends in their early 20s who live in Slovenia,” explains a description of the movie. “They are tomboys and refuse to conform to the conservative system they live in. Their world turns upside down when they meet Fantasy, a transgender woman. Together, they embark on a journey that explores the complexities of gender, desire, and self-discovery.”
The ensemble cast of mostly first-time actors is led by Sarah Al Saleh, Alina Juhart, Mina Milovanović, and Mia Skrbinac. Kukla wrote and directed the co-production between Slovenia and North Macedonia, with Lazar Bogdanović serving as cinematographer. Totem Films is handling international sales on the movie.
Kukla, whose full name is Katarina Bogdanović, is a director and musician who has made a name for herself directing music videos. Her short film Sisters won the Grand Prix International honor at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival in 2021 and the Audience Award at Premiers Plans d’Angers. Now, she has transformed the short into the feature film Fantasy, developed at Cannes Cinéfondation and Les Arcs.
“The film explores the reawakening of the long-ignored female gaze, inviting women to see themselves through their own lens rather than through external expectations,” Kukla says in a director’s statement.
Kukla
Courtesy of John Pawlish
“My best friend is a psychologist and astrologist, and he’s into [Carl] Jung,” she tells THR: “He told me how it’s very interesting to him in the film how I tackled the fact that when you’re born a man, you’re just a man. And when you are born a woman, you have to become a woman.”
She adds: “Unfortunately, the Balkans is still a very patriarchal place. A lot of women just aren’t seen or treated as equal members of society. So, the film is a reflection of my experience with that.”
A first clip for Fantasy, which THR can exclusively reveal below, shows the first meeting between the three friends and Fantasy, who gets a different reception from each of them. A cigarette and ice cream also play a role.
If you are ready for a ride in the world of Fantasy, watch the film clip below.