South Wind (2025) by Ante Marin: A Darkly Comedic Mosaic of Lives in Split
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 27
- 9 min read
Movie Summary: When the Južina Wind Blows Through a Building
"South Wind" (Croatian: Južina) is a 2025 Croatian-Serbian co-production, an 82-minute dark comedy film, written and directed by Ante Marin. This film marks Marin's highly anticipated feature debut, building on his previous work in shorts. The film is set in Split, Croatia, during the notorious "južina" (southeasterly wind), which is believed to have a peculiar effect on people's moods and behavior. It unfolds as a mosaic, intertwining the lives of the eccentric tenants of a dilapidated four-story building.
The narrative focuses on a series of misunderstandings, petty intrigues, and escalating chaos as the lives of a diverse group of characters collide. These include a suspended professor, a paranoid elderly woman, a manipulative devout mother, a struggling rapper, and an abusive ex-boyfriend. As the strong wind rages outside, symbolically and literally unsettling their lives, even the "heroes" of their own stories become villains in the eyes of their neighbors. Through darkly humorous depictions of everyday situations, "South Wind" aims to capture the unique identity of Split, showcasing its local stories, dialect, customs, and humor, while commenting on societal fissures and personal breakdowns that lead to absurd situations.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32251506/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/481310/
Theatrical Release: July 10, 2025 (World Premiere at Pula Film Festival)
Detailed Summary: Chaos in the Adriatic Breeze
A Character-Driven Ensemble Piece Filled with Absurdity and Local Flavor. Ante Marin's "South Wind" is a vibrant, character-driven black comedy that explores the microcosm of a building's residents under the influence of the region's infamous wind.
The "Južina" Catalyst: The film uses the južina wind as more than just a weather phenomenon; it's a mood-board and a symbolic force that metaphorically "unsettles" the characters' lives and brings out their worst (and sometimes best) qualities. This concept is deeply embedded in the local culture of Split and the Dalmatian coast.
Mosaic Narrative Structure: The story is built through interconnected vignettes, each focusing on different tenants, allowing the audience to observe how their individual quirks, secrets, and ambitions clash and intertwine. This creates a chain reaction of misunderstandings and escalating absurdity.
Characters of Split: Marin showcases a gallery of distinct characters:
A suspended professor grappling with his circumstances.
A paranoid old lady whose anxieties contribute to the building's tension.
A pious, manipulative mother whose faith clashes with her actions.
A failed rapper trying to make his mark.
An abusive ex-boyfriend who adds a dangerous element to the mix.
Dark Humor and Everyday Situations: The film finds humor in the mundane and the tragic. It uses everyday situations – arguments over parking, gossip, minor inconveniences – to escalate into darkly comedic scenarios, revealing the flaws and hypocrisies of its characters.
Split Identity and Local Talent: A stated goal of the film is to celebrate and preserve the unique identity of Split. This includes using local dialect, customs, and humor, and promoting local talent both in front of and behind the camera. It’s written in Split, about Split, and shot with a crew largely from Split.
Critique of Societal Divisions: While comedic, the film also serves as a subtle commentary on societal cracks and personal breakdowns. It highlights how quickly individuals can become "villains" in the eyes of their neighbors, questioning perceptions of heroism and villainy in everyday life.
Trilogy Ambition: Director Ante Marin has stated that "Južina" is the first part of a "Split film triumvirate," to be followed by films titled Bura (North Wind) and Bonaca (Calm), suggesting a deeper exploration of the city's unique atmosphere and its impact on its inhabitants.
Plot Summary: Tenants Unhinged by the Wind
As the strong južina wind blows through Split, the lives of the residents in a run-down four-story building begin to intertwine in chaotic and darkly humorous ways.
A diverse cast of characters, including a suspended professor, a paranoid old lady, a manipulative mother, a struggling rapper, and an abusive ex-boyfriend, find their personal dramas colliding.
Through a series of misunderstandings and petty schemes, the film exposes the flaws and absurdities of everyday life, where even the "heroes" of one situation become the "villains" in another.
It's a vibrant, chaotic, and authentic portrayal of Split's unique spirit and the human condition under the influence of an unsettling force.
Director's Vision: Ante Marin's Love Letter to Split, Wrapped in Black Comedy
To Capture the Soul of Split through a Darkly Humorous, Multi-Layered Narrative. Ante Marin brings a deeply personal and local vision to his debut feature:
Authenticity of Split: Marin is committed to portraying the genuine spirit, humor, and even neuroses of Split. He emphasized writing, shooting, and casting locally to ensure the film truly reflects the city.
"Južina" as a Character: The wind itself is intended to be a palpable presence, influencing the mood and actions of the characters, reflecting the local belief in its psychological effects.
Mosaic Storytelling: His choice of a multi-narrative structure allows him to explore various facets of human behavior and societal dynamics within a contained environment.
Humor in Absurdity: Marin aims to find the humor in often tense or dramatic situations, using black comedy to comment on social fissures and the sometimes absurd nature of human interactions.
Promoting Local Talent: A key aspect of his vision is to empower the local creative industry in Split by providing opportunities for actors, screenwriters, and crew members from the region.
Themes: Urban Community, Misunderstanding & Conflict, Local Identity, Human Flaws, and The Influence of Environment
The Unpredictable Rhythms of City Life and Human Nature.
Urban Community Dynamics: The film explores the intricate web of relationships and conflicts that arise within a confined urban living space.
Misunderstanding and Conflict: A central element, where small events escalate into larger dramas due to misinterpretations and character flaws.
Local Identity and Spirit: A celebration and examination of the unique cultural traits, humor, and temperament of the people of Split.
Human Flaws and Hypocrisy: The film uses dark humor to expose the imperfections, prejudices, and contradictions in its characters.
Influence of Environment: The južina wind serves as a symbolic force, hinting at how external factors can subtly or overtly impact human behavior and moods.
Key Success Factors: Strong Local Flavor, Debut Director's Vision, and Ensemble Cast
Authenticity and Local Appeal: Its strong connection to Split's culture and the use of local dialect and talent will resonate deeply with Croatian audiences and offer a unique perspective to international viewers.
Compelling Debut: As Ante Marin's first feature, its selection as the opening film of the Pula Film Festival is a strong endorsement of its quality and potential.
Ensemble Cast: The large cast of local actors contributes to the film's realistic and vibrant portrayal of the community.
Dark Comedy Genre: The blend of humor with darker themes offers a fresh and engaging approach to social commentary.
International Co-production: While rooted locally, the Croatian-Serbian co-production allows for broader reach within the region.
Awards & Nominations: Promising Debut on the Horizon
As of July 2025, "South Wind" has not yet had a wide public release or extensive festival run, so specific awards and nominations are not widely reported. However, as a promising debut from a Croatian filmmaker, it is likely to be targeted for prestigious festival premieres.
Potential Festival Circuit: Given the film's artistic nature and its director's debut status, it is highly anticipated to premiere at major film festivals in late 2025 or early 2026, such as Venice, Toronto, or Berlin, or at significant regional festivals like Pula Film Festival in Croatia.
Summary: "South Wind" has not yet received major awards or nominations due to its upcoming release, but as a directorial debut from Ante Marin, it is expected to be a strong contender for selections at prominent international and regional film festivals.
Critics' Reception: Highly Praised for Ambition, Craft, and Authenticity
Critical reception for "South Wind" has been highly positive, with reviewers praising Ante Marin's ambitious and deftly crafted directorial debut.
"Exceptionally Ambitious and Deftly Crafted": Critics have lauded "South Wind" as an "inspired, breezy script" and a "passion project" that showcases Marin's talent.
Engaging Dialogue and Performances: The dialogue is commended for its charm, puns, and pop-culture references, contributing to strong performances from the entire cast, who are noted to have profited from Marin's writing and directing.
Effective Mosaic Structure: The film's mosaic narrative structure and editing are highlighted for their effectiveness in weaving together overlapping stories across multiple apartments in a single building.
Authentic Spirit: The cinematography is praised for capturing the "unique Split spirit," adding to the film's authentic portrayal of the local setting and its inhabitants.
"Crowd-Pleaser": The review concludes by calling it "not just an inspired and sure-handed debut, but also a proper showcase of talent and a crowd-pleaser."
Summary: "South Wind" has garnered very positive critical reception, lauded as an ambitious and skillfully made debut. Critics commend its engaging script, strong performances, effective mosaic structure, and its ability to authentically capture the spirit of Split, making it both an artistic achievement and a crowd-pleaser.
Reviews: Intertwined Lives Under the "Južina" Wind
Reviews detail the intricate, day-long narrative of "South Wind," which is set in a building in Split, Dalmatia, and explores the interconnected lives of its tenants.
Setting and Structure: The film is set in Split, Dalmatia, over the course of a single day marked by "južina" weather. The story unfolds across six apartments on four storeys, with the narratives of various tenants overlapping. The film opens with two thugs awaiting a signal, with the rest of the story unfolding in a flashback, slowly revealing the building's residents and building a mystery around who the thugs are targeting.
Characters and Subplots: The diverse cast of tenants includes:
A suspended history teacher.
A woman who enlists a tough guy to deal with unruly hooligan brothers.
A religious family grappling with teenage rebellion.
Another family attempting to pitch rhymes to a famous rapper during a birthday celebration.
Brothers who are the talk of the building.
A young woman having an affair with her landlord and planning to expose him to his fiancée.
Themes: The overlapping stories are expected to explore various aspects of contemporary Croatian life, including personal struggles, societal pressures, hidden conflicts, and the quirks of communal living, all subtly influenced by the atmospheric "južina" wind.
Summary: "South Wind" chronicles a single day in a Split apartment building, weaving together the intersecting lives of its diverse tenants. Through various subplots involving a suspended teacher, family dramas, a woman seeking help against hooligans, and an impending expose of an affair, the film gradually reveals a central mystery tied to two waiting thugs, offering a nuanced portrayal of a community under the influence of the local "južina" wind.
Theatrical Release: July 10, 2025 (World Premiere at Pula Film Festival)
World Premiere: July 10, 2025, at the 72nd Pula Film Festival (as the opening film).
Croatian Theatrical Release: Expected to follow shortly after its festival premiere, likely in late July or August 2025.
Why to recommend movie: For a Unique Blend of Humor and Social Commentary
A Fresh and Authentic Glimpse into Croatian Urban Life.
If you enjoy dark comedies: The film offers a humorous take on the absurdities and conflicts of everyday life.
For Fans of European Regional Cinema: It provides a unique cultural experience, deeply rooted in the specific identity of Split, Croatia.
To Discover New Directorial Talent: Ante Marin's feature debut has been well-received and promises a distinct cinematic voice.
If You Appreciate Ensemble Casts: The film relies on a large cast of characters whose lives intertwine, offering a rich tapestry of human interaction.
For a Film with a Strong Sense of Place: The južina wind and the city of Split are integral to the film's atmosphere and narrative.
To See a Film That Opens a Major Festival: Its selection as the Pula Film Festival opener is a testament to its quality.
Movie Trend: Regional Comedy-Dramas & Ensemble Narratives
Celebrating Local Culture Through Intertwined Stories. "South Wind" fits into the trend of regional comedy-dramas that leverage specific local cultures, dialects, and traditions to tell universal stories about human nature. It also exemplifies the popularity of ensemble narratives, where multiple character arcs within a contained setting create a rich, mosaic-like portrayal of a community, often highlighting the humor and drama found in everyday interactions. This trend often sees filmmakers exploring their unique cultural heritage through the lens of relatable, character-driven stories.
Social Trend: Urban Living Challenges, Neighborly Relations, and Cultural Identity
The Complexities of Sharing Space and Preserving Uniqueness. The film directly resonates with several contemporary social trends:
Urban Living Challenges: It subtly explores the everyday frustrations and conflicts of living in close proximity within an urban environment.
Neighborly Relations: The film highlights the spectrum of relationships between neighbors, from petty disputes to unexpected alliances, reflecting the challenges and dynamics of community living.
Cultural Identity and Localism: It's a celebration and exploration of what makes a specific place (Split) unique, in a world that often homogenizes cultural experiences.
Stress and Behavior: The symbolic role of the južina wind touches on how environmental factors or collective moods can influence individual behavior and societal harmony.
Final Verdict: "South Wind (2025)" is a Charming and Witty Debut
Ante Marin's "South Wind (2025)" is a delightful and insightful black comedy that marks a promising feature film debut. Unfolding as a mosaic of intertwined lives in a dilapidated building in Split, Croatia, the film charmingly captures the unique spirit of the city and its inhabitants under the influence of the infamous južina wind. With a vibrant ensemble cast and a script full of misunderstandings and dark humor, it offers a fresh take on urban community dynamics and human flaws. Having opened the 72nd Pula Film Festival, "South Wind" is a recommended watch for anyone seeking an authentic, cleverly written, and genuinely funny film that celebrates local culture while commenting on universal human experiences.
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