Mirror of Nightingales

Karla Lulić

Producers

Karla Lulić, Jelena Madaric

Lab Edition

2024

Production

Dobar Films, Croatia; Avanpost Media, Romania; Delirium Films, Serbia

Country

Croatia, Romania, Serbia

SYNOPSIS

In a remote village somewhere in the Balkans lives Dora, a professional mourner. At her job, she is
the best in the village, when she cries, even the dead weep. One day, she comes late to a funeral
and cries at the wrong grave. In her desperate search for new crying gigs, she meets Dunda, a man
who desperately wants, but cannot die. Their love breaks the spell, so Dora is now able to truly live,
while Dunda is able to finally die.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Light, texture and composition are in the style of British impressionism, inspired by French impressionism, with rural dreamy landscapes including people and bright sunlight. This choice contributes to the touch of magic realism in this film. Sun will burn the streets and forests, creating an image of a slightly outdated photograph, but full of life. Interiors are minimalist, dusty and dark, with dark brown earthly shades and sun barely coming through lace curtains. This play between light and darkness will create a dreamy atmosphere, almost like giving light to the subconscious, dark and taboo. The duality of black vs. white / death vs. life, and the decisions made by the characters, will be marked by the camera. Wide shots will dominate in the scenes of life, youth and outside. Scenes of death, blackness, adults, villages and interiors, will be marked with tighter shots, evoking the feeling of pressure of growing up and oppressing tradition.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Karla Lulić is a screenwriter, director, and producer who has a master's degree in film and TV production from the Sorbonne University in Paris.
As a screenwriter and producer, she is also working on a TV series for a young audience, "Chasing
the Clouds." Also, she is currently developing her first feature film, “Mirror of Nightingales," and the
TV series Dear Insects and Other Creepy Stories, developed as part of the Torino Film Lab in 2024,
and MFI (Mediterranean Film Institute) in Greece in 2023.

PRODUCERS

Karla Lulić, Jelena Madaric

○ Karla Lulic
Screenwriter, director, and producer who has a master's degree in film and TV production from the
Sorbonne University in Paris.
As a screenwriter and producer, she is also working on a TV series for a young audience, "Chasing
the Clouds." Also, she is currently developing her first feature film, “Mirror of Nightingales," and the
TV series Dear Insects and Other Creepy Stories, developed as part of the Torino Film Lab in 2024,
and MFI (Mediterranean Film Institute) in Greece in 2023.
○ Jelena Madaric
She works as a producer on the debut feature film "Mirror of Nightingales," directed by Karla Lulić.
Also, she is working on the TV series "Dear Insects and Other Creepy Stories," which is being
developed as part of the Torino Film Lab in 2024 and the Mediterranean Film Institute in Greece.
As a screenwriter, she is currently working on a TV series for young audiences, "Chasing the Clouds".

Production company was founded in 2014 in Koprivnica, Croatia, by its producer and director Karla
Lulić. Dobar Film (i.e., good film) is focused on creating good films slightly flirting with genres. Dobar
Film is producing films, commercials, and music videos. The previous short films IN THE NAME OF
THE STRAWBERRY, THE CHOCOLATE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT and FOLLOWING... screened at 30+ world
festivals around the world. Currently, they are developing two feature films and two TV shows.

PRODUCTION COMPANY PROFILE

○ Dobar Film | Mihovila Pavleka Miskine 32, 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
○ Co-production Partners: Romania: Avanpost Media | Serbia: Delirium Films | Italy: UMI Films
○ Karla Lulić: karla@dobarfilm.hr | +385 92 4088 857
○ Jelena Mađarić: jelena@dobarfilm.hr | +385 95 2121 122

PRODUCTION BUDGET

○ Total budget: 1,683,681 USD
○ Confirmed budget and source: 287,241 USD
The project is supported by MEDIA co-development fund of 57,623 USD and, we received support
for script development and project development from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) and
City of Koprivnica, totaling 44,083 USD.

LANGUAGE

Croatian

GENRE

Dark Romance Comedy

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