Immerse yourself in the fascinating artistic world of Una Gunjak through her poignant film “Excursion”. A captivating cinematic exploration that is sure to move you and take you on a journey to the heart of humanity.
Una Gunjak, a talented director discovered during Critics’ Week in 2014 with “The Chicken”, returns to us with a new film entitled “Excursion”. This feature film tackles the complex theme of adolescence and the quest for attention, while exploring the weight of social rumors and the consequences of pressure from social networks.
A Touching Portrait of Adolescence
At the heart of “Excursion” is Imam, a shy and self-conscious teenager who longs to stand out from her self-effacing environment. Accurately interpreted by Asja Zara Lagumdzija, Imam embodies the desire to shine and be seen, to the point of losing herself in the twists and turns of her own lies.
The film perfectly illustrates Imam’s inner struggle, shared between her desire for freedom and her brain in turmoil which pushes her to sink into untruths. This poignant representation of the construction of a fictional world by a teenager, who dreams of being different, is touching and moving.
The Serbo-Croatian Geopolitical Context
Una Gunjak uses the Serbo-Croatian geopolitical context to anchor her story, a choice which, unfortunately, remains quite superficial in the development of the plot. Although this specific framework is mentioned, it only serves to point out patriarchal constraints without really exploring them in depth.
The Limits of Staging
Despite interesting ideas, “Excursion” suffers from a staging that is sometimes too literal and lacking in inventiveness. This lack of originality ends up giving the film the appearance of end-of-study film. The themes of sex as taboo, of the false mysticism of the first time, and of sexual discomplexion are approached in a fairly conventional manner.
Comparison with Other Films
Gunjak’s film also faces comparison with other works dealing with adolescence and social rumors. Films like “Dried Herbs” from Ceylon, “The Teachers’ Room” in Germany, or “Pas de vague” in France, treat these themes with more depth and freshness, making “Excursion” somewhat redundant.
A Generational Question
The weight of rumor, social pressure, and the invasion of social networks are crucial generational questions that “Excursion” touches on without really providing them with new perspectives. The film asks questions which, although important, have been raised for more than 10 years and would have required a more sagittal and nuanced approach.
Strong and Weak Points
Strong points:
- Remarkable performance by Asja Zara Lagumdzija as Imam.
- Touching and sincere portrait of adolescence.
- Relevant and current themes.
Weak points:
- Direction lacking originality and innovation.
- Underexploited geopolitical context.
- Redundancy compared to other films on the same themes.
In conclusion, Una Gunjak’s “Excursion” offers a touching look at the challenges of adolescence, buoyed by an intense central performance. However, the film struggles to get off the beaten track and offers a staging that is sometimes too conventional in the face of ever-evolving generational issues.
