DEER HUNT

Fadil Hadžić

Filmski autorski studio (FAS), 1972

After many years, Ivan Šušnjar is returning to his hometown, from which he fled after World War II fearful that, as civil clerk of the NDH, he might suffer prosecution from the new government. Upon his return he discovers that he was tagged Ustasha only so that local partisans could appropriate his property. Trying to prove the truth and get justice, Šušnjar faces closely linked opponents who are prepared to do whatever it takes to get him out of the way…
Politically one of the bravest films of socialist Croatia cinematography, Deer Hunt dared to deal with one of the greatest taboos of socialist Yugoslavia: the problem of (Croatian) political emigrants whose various beliefs official Yugoslav policy tucked under the same extremist hat, in Croatian case, the hat was Ustasha movement. Featuring excellent location (urban province) and ambience (stale Balkan pub), with skillfully profiled characters and narrative, expressive acting roles and steady direction, Deer Hunt presents one of the peak moments of Fadil Hadzic's opus, and is an unavoidable title in Croatian cinema.

Director: Fadil Hadžić
Screenplay: Fadil Hadžić
Cameraman: Milorad Jakšić-Fanđo
Music: Nikica Kalogjera
Editing: Radojka Tanhofer
Art direction: Tanja Frankol
Producer: Krunoslav Heidler
Cast: Sandi Krošl, Boris Dvornik, Miha Baloh, Silvana Armenulić, Mato Ergović, Franjo Majetić, Fabijan Šovagović, Sanda Langeholz, Relja Bašić, Ivo Serdar, Tonko Lonza, Ljubo Kapor, Adem Ćejvan, Ilija Ivezić

Production: Filmski autorski studio (FAS)
Country of production: Hrvatska/Croatia
Year of production: 1972
Running time: 97 min
Format: 35mm vistavision, c-b/b-w
Project of preservation and restoration: Carmen Lhotka, Hrvatski filmski arhiv – Hrvatski državni arhiv / Croatian Film Archives – Croatian State Archives (CSA)
Digital restoration: studio Vizije S.F.T.