Rooster's Breakfast

Contributed by Mike Fishman

This is a stunning film. One of the best I’ve seen in the past few years. The kind of movie you just want to live in. It clocks in at two hours and five minutes but flows so well, and so interestingly, I almost didn’t want it to end. I knew immediately I would be seeing it again, although where and when remains to be determined. But great news recently came from the Association of Slovenian Filmmakers, who announced in October that Rooster’s Breakfast had been chosen as Slovenia's entry in the foreign-language Oscar race, out of five movies that applied.

Completed in 2007, this first feature from Marko Nabersnik, based on the novel by Feri Lainscek, is not yet scheduled for theatrical release nor is it available on DVD but both seem likely and as soon as they occur, I will happily be urging everyone I know to see this gem of a film. Great acting, great story; touching without being cloying, funny and sexy, and very visual with little touches here and there, such as a yellow jacket hovering for two seconds above food and the use of dissolves to show time passing against hay stacks that is beautiful and perfect. Shades of Wings of Desire, a Bergmanesque moment, a little danger here and there, and plenty of humor that emanates from the souls of the characters.

The story concerns Djuro, a young man who leaves the city after losing his job and winds up working as an apprentice in a small town garage owned by Gajas (the great Vlado Novak). Djuro’s quiet life is interrupted by an affair with the beautiful Bronja, who is married to the local pimp. It is a risky love affair but clearly fueled by deep passion rather than just lust and desire. Meanwhile, Gajas is obsessed by Severina (Severina Vuckovic), a real-life Croatian pop singer who is on tour and coming to town. When Gajas is presented with an opportunity to meet her, it’s almost too much for him to bear. The ensuing scenes are funny and sad, with a touch of well-deserved violence/revenge. The title by the way deliciously refers to “sex in the morning”; a rooster’s breakfast.

A great film experience, hopefully coming to a screen, large or small, near you. Meanwhile, for a taste, watch the clips on YouTube. Click here.