Čovjek koga treba ubiti film

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Production year: 1979

Duration: 105 minuta

Technique: color

Genre:

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Director:
Bulajić, Veljko

Production house:
Jadran film
Filmski studio Titograd
Croatia film

Camera:
Ivatović Branko

Synopsis:
After the murder of the Russian Emperor Peter III, who was succeeded by Empress Catherine, Satan decides that the balance between good and evil on Earth has been destabilized. In order to set things right, he sends his representative to Earth - the teacher Farfa, who bears an unusual resemblance to Peter III. His mission is to seize power from the old Duke of Montenegro, and then to take back the Russian throne as Peter III. The people of Montenegro accept Farfa as their new leader, and he proclaims himself the new Emperor, Šćepan Mali, successfully resisting an invasion by the Turks. Farfa is touched by the Montenegrins’ kindness and courage, falls in love with the beautiful Elfa, and fails to follow Satan’s plan. Not one to be crossed, Satan sets out to kill him…

Cast:
Zvonimir Črnko (Farfa/Šćepan Mali/emperor Petar III), Vladimir Popović, Ranko Kovačević, Dušica Žegarac (Justina), Tanja Bošković (Elfa), Mato Ergović (Elfa’s father), Charles Millot, Ivica Pajer, etc.

Country of production:
Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (Socialist Republic of Croatia/Socialist Republic of Montenegro)

Screenplay:
Veljko Bulajić, Bruno di Geronimo, Ratko Ðurović

Music by:
Jože Privšek

Edited by:
Zlatko Pusić

Set designer:
Veljko Despotović

Costume designer:

Commentary:
This film is based on the legend of the self-proclaimed Emperor Šćepan Mali, who ruled Montenegro for a few years in the second half of the 18th century. Čovjek koga treba ubiti is a sort of a fantasy film, an interesting blend of trash and camp. It is a trivial and bizarre fantasy married to an ambitious political allegory about a “third way” (with obvious references to the current division of world powers into blocks and the Neutralist movement, which offers a possibility for intriguing interpretations). Even though the film is undeniably peculiar, in the end it does not impress the viewer too much with its quality. For Croatian and Yugoslav cinema, it is memorable for having introduced us to the motifs of sexual deviation and sadomasochism. Moreover, it was the first Croatian, and possibly Yugoslav, film to portray a lesbian erotic relationship. At the Pula Film Festival, it won the Bronze Arena for the best director and the Silver Arena for the set design. It also won awards at international film festivals specializing in fantasy genre films.

Other awards: Pula 1979 - Importexport’s award (Trieste) to Branko Ivatović for the “best use of light”
                          Nis 1979 - Special diploma to Nada Gacesic 
                          Sitges 1980 - Golden Carnation for the best director
                          Paris Festival of Fantasy - award for the best director

Screening permit: march 29, 1979