Private Project

HEART OF THE WOMAN or 24/I

Suzana does her best to be a good mom to Vana and Jere, supports her husband and takes care of their home while trying to be creative – when and if she finds time. Although she is busy 24 hours a day and often exhausted, Croatian Employment Service and most of the society treat her as a person without work. Suzana finds this unjust and humiliating and has the need to make a film about one ordinary day in her life. Her film consists of 24 scenes, each capturing one aspect of her existence, from duties and realities, to dreams, longings and confessions. She gets up early, feeds the children, takes them out, then she does the laundry, makes lunch ready and writes project and job applications that are always turned down. She is at the market, employment office, beach. At night she wakes up to comfort her little son and reflects on life, love and lack of support and understanding. Tired but inspired by verses of E. Dickenson and Tarkovski’s work, Suzana decides to make a film dedicated to motherhood and woman’s creativity.

  • Andrejka Skračić
    Director
  • Andrejka Skračić
    Writer
  • Andrejka Skračić
    Producer
  • Andrejka Skračić
    Key Cast
  • Mislav Skračić
    Key Cast
  • Vana Skracic
    Key Cast
  • Jere Vodopija
    Key Cast
  • Andrejka Skračić
    editing
  • Mateja & Mate Skračić
    music
  • Elvis Šahbaz
    music
  • Mislav Skračić
    cinematographer
  • Igor Lušić
    cinematographer
  • Andrejka Skračić
    cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Croatia
  • Country of Filming:
    Croatia
  • Language:
    Croatian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mediterranean Film Festival - MedFF Sicily
    Siracusa
    Italy
    December 29, 2016
    Italy
    Best Women Film / WE 2016
  • Hollywood Screenings Film Festival
    Hollywood, CA
    United States
    Finalist 2017
  • Grand IndieWise Convention
    Miami, Florida
    United States
    Finalist 2018
  • Los Angeles CineFest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Semi-Finalist 2017
  • San Mauro Film Festival
    San Mauro Torinese, Turin
    Italy
    Semi-Finalist 2018
  • Barcelona Planet Film Festival
    Barcelona
    Spain
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2016
  • Sydney World Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2016
  • Roma Cinema DOC
    Rome
    Italy
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2016
  • WIPE Amateur Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 30, 2016
    German premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2016
  • Women's Rights Nights 8
    Skopje
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    March 8, 2017
    Macedonia premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2017
  • VOD DISTRIBUTION FILMFEST
    Milan
    Italy
    OFFICIAL SELECTION 2017
  • First Women Film Festival
    East Azerbaijan, Tabriz
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
    Award Winner 2022
Director Biography - Andrejka Skračić

» I was born on 22nd July 1967. in Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia. After graduating from Tolmin High School in 1986, I moved to Ljubljana. I became engaged in professional mountain climbing and took part in the expeditions to Patagonia (twice) and Yosemite Park, USA, where I started to film and edit documentary materials.
» From autumn 1994 to spring 1995 I attended the Film and Video Seminar / Laboratory organised by ZKOS (Alliance of Slovenia’s cultural associations). I participated in a number of documentary projects as a screenwriter, camerawoman, editor and director. Since 2001 I have been living in Split, Croatia, with my husband Mislav and daughter Vana.
» When I was young I thought that I would dedicate my life to literature – the only world of art that was available to me at the time. By the end of my high school days I fell in love with mountain climbing and had the opportunity to explore some of the most amazing scenery of our Blue Planet. It was the period when I searched for freedom and the meaning of life, when I encountered inspiring people, love, as well as difficult challenges and ordeal. I was not sure whether I should write, climb, make photographs... until I found myself in film. Actually, I could say that the film found me as I never thought I would start writing screenplays, learn how to use the camera, do the editing, become a director. It was a perfect twist of fate because making films has turned out to be the best way to express ideas and tell the stories that haunt me. I truly believe that the art of film can considerably contribute to the development of society and a better world.
» I am engaged in independent film and video projects.
» I like photography, writing poetry, mountain climbing and hiking, traveling.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement


The award-winning film Heart of the Woman or 24/I by Andrejka V. Skračić was her spontaneous response to the position of women, mothers and woman artists in today’s world where people have marginalised the very values that deserve utmost attention and support of the individuals and the society.
The idea was born when Andrejka V. Skračić paid regular visits to the Croatian Employment Service. The film Heart of the Woman or 24/I describes an ordinary day of an urban woman in her early thirties, a mother and a wife, doing her chores and making ends meet, aspiring at the same time to make a movie and get affirmation in the world of film. However, her attempts result in another marginalisation. She cannot find financial or any other support of the social and cultural institutions for her projects, and decides to make a film by herself. Fortunately, her family and friends help her complete the project. Her day (24 hours), her film (24 fps) and her story reflect today’s society and emphasise the need for redefining attitudes toward basic values.
“Actually, when I became a wife and a mother, assuming a number of new roles and obligations, I tried to continue to make independent movies, as I had used to do. At the same time, I regularly reported to the Employment Service that was supposed to help me find a “proper” job. I was busy and exhausted like never before, and all I got from the Employment Service was a stamp confirming that I was unemployed. That was absurd. I felt compelled to question the values of motherhood and creativity, and started making a film on the subject. Unfortunately, I live in a society that takes the position of a woman and mother lightly, that does not see her dedication, burden, isolation, longing and frustration, whose institutions do not provide sufficient support and protection, or do it in a theoretical and formal way. Taking care of children, family and home is not recognised as a fundamental value although the community’s future depends on good parenthood. Therefore, I advocate that women and mothers be no longer branded as “unemployed” and “invisible”. They deservedignity and a smile on their faces. Who should be ashamed, really – a mother with two kids seeking support from the Employment Service or an indifferent state bureaucrat who has nothing to offer but a confirmation of unemployment – a stamp?
The film is dedicated to motherhood and creativity of women, in the hope that they will grow more courageous, self-aware, and determined in fulfilling their dreams in times to come – in other words, hoping that they will be freer and happier.”