Balkan drama 'Desire Lines' sold for distribution to Square Eyes prior to Locarno Film Festival debut
Dane Komljen's latest film, "Desire Lines," is set to make its world premiere in the international competition at the Locarno Film Festival next month. This surreal and hypnotic journey follows the story of Branko, a restless, insomniac man, played by Ivan Čuić, as he navigates urban cityscapes and an enigmatic forest community in search of his missing brother.
The film, originally titled Linije zelje (2025), is a blend of memory, trauma, and reality, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that challenges conventional storytelling. Komljen's signature slow cinema techniques and poetic dialogue are on full display, with an emphasis on ambiguity and minimalism to immerse viewers in a symbolic exploration of identity, trauma, and the refusal to conform.
"Desire Lines" boasts an impressive list of backers, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund, Creative Europe Media, Film Center Serbia, Netherlands Film Fund, Audio-visual Center of Republika Srpska, Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Culture and Sport, Croatian Audio-visual Center, Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg, and Eurimages.
The film is produced by Nataša Damnjanović and Vladimir Vidić through Belgrade-based Dart Film. It will join Square Eyes' slate alongside films like Ukrainian feature doc Militantropos and Cuban director David Bim's To The West, In Zapata.
"Militantropos" premiered at Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, while "To The West, In Zapata" won a special jury award at Visions Du Réel. Further partners on the project include Marc Thelosen from SeriousFilm in the Netherlands, Miljenka Čogelja of Croatia's Pipser, Zsuzsanna Kiraly of Germany's Flaneur Films, and Bosnia's Mak Film and Marletti.
Komljen describes his film as drawing a line between reality and fantasy found in fairytales and horror films, pointing towards the hunger for the unknown. Notably, "Desire Lines" was shot in remote rural Bosnian locations, which have become one of the migration routes for thousands of migrants trying to reach the EU.
Wouter Jansen's Square Eyes has acquired international sales rights for "Desire Lines," following Komljen's successful debut "All The Cities Of The North," which was in official selection in Locarno 2016 and was released in the US by Grasshopper Film.
Alberto Barbera, head of the Venice Film Festival, is reportedly involved in the project, but specific details about his role have yet to be disclosed.
Critics have praised "Desire Lines" for its compelling ideas, formal rigor, and evocative mood, with recognition at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival. While some suggest the film's ambiguous narrative might leave some audiences puzzled, others find it intriguing for its enigmatic storytelling and solid central performance by Ivan Čuić as Branko. The film is described as hypnotic and audacious, blending existential themes with elements of surrealism and slow cinema, confirming Komljen's reputation as a pensive and boundary-pushing filmmaker. However, some reviewers have pointed out that its abstract execution and open-endedness may challenge viewers seeking concrete explanations.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] - Sources for further reading and research.
Read also:
- Today's most impactful photographic moments
- Support for Eric Adams in The Post's Letters to the Editor on August 13, 2025
- Roosting Shark and Rambunctious Red Squirrels: Unconventional House Rental in Yorkshire Involving Aquatic Marvel, Squirrely Mayhem, and Mystical Planning Regulations
- Jenna Ortega mastered Bach's cello suites for the popular Netflix program, 'Wednesday'
