Short Film Review: “Marko”

Dir: Marko Šantić
Croatia • Drama • 17 Mins

When Marko and Ankica's neighbour suggests they rent their dead son’s room to tourists, Marko sees it as an insult. Yet, despite his initial misgivings, Marko finds that he has much more in common with his lodger than he could possibly have thought.

Set in a picturesque coastal village in Croatia, Marko and Ankica have never gotten over the loss of their only child, Ante, who died in the war for independence between Croatia and Serbia. Struggling to make ends meet on their pensions, Ankica manages to talk Marko into renting out their son’s room to tourists to help bring in some extra income. Despite Marko being initially troubled by the prospect, especially when their first boarder turns out to be from Serbia, his eyes are opened when he spends a little time with his lodger.

Marko is a bittersweet film with some incredibly well-executed and nuanced performances. Actor Mate Gulin in particular delivers a tender and moving performance as Marko, a man who’s been left angry, solemn and withdrawn following the loss of his son. Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov also puts in a very understated and poignant performance as Marko’s wife, who is not only trying to come to terms with the death of her son, but also with the loss of the man her husband once was. The pair are both struggling to come to terms with an unfortunate past of heartache & loss and the undesirable present of financial insecurity & a changing global landscape.

Writer Goran Vojnović has brilliantly constructed a sincere, thoughtful script which director Marko Šantić, aided by some beautifully natural and still cinematography, has brought to life specularly with some raw, emotional performances and masterfully structured & executed scenes which come alive as much in the silence he makes precise use of as it does through the illuminating dialogue. The subtle yet notable editing too by Jurij Moškon is worthy of mention as it not only brilliantly helps the story unfold but also employs some meticulous storytelling techniques of its own.

There are many memorable moments throughout this touching and heartfelt film, but the scene in which Marko finally puts his differences to one side and connects with his lodger is a stand-out moment in both storytelling and performance.

Marko is a compassionate and thought-provoking film about grief and the lingering wounds of war that affect the people left behind and how, despite living through a life of pain and resentment, it’s never too late to learn and heal. 

9/10

Marko won the Audience Award, Best Drama, Best Actor (for Mate Gulin) and Best Editing at our 2022 film festival.

Reviewed by Philip Pugh