“Sandbag Dam”, interview with the director Čejen Černić Čanak and the actors Lav Novosel and Andrija Žunac

February 21, 2025

Čejen Černić Čanak , director, Lav Novosel and Andrija Žunac, actors "Sandbag Dam". A heart-gripping coming out drama, with two oustanding performances

"Sandbag Dam", interview with the director Čejen Černić Čanak and the actors Lav Novosel and Andrija Žunac Angelo Acerbi

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“Sandbag Dam” is a Croatian drama by Čejen Černić Čanak included in the Generation 14plus section of the Berlinale 2025. The film is a rare example of lgbtqi+ film coming out of Croatia and it starred two young and promising actors who embodies the two longtime lost young friends and hidden lovers who meet again, in a village that is always under the risk of flooding.

The insecurity of the village reflects that of one of the characters

Čejen Černić Čanak points out that the setting fo the film in a village always on a verge of being flooded is a direct reminder of the situation the character of marco (played by Lav Movosel) is experiencing: being attracted to his friend Slaven (played by Andrija Žunac) and not being able to tell it out loud. Always at risk, himself too.

A film on self acceptance and the fear of rejection

Lav Movosel, playing Marco in “Sandbag Dam“, tells us about his character that is torn, between his role in the village, his public persona, and the way he feels inside towards his friend, openly gay and therefore sent away by his family. Andrija Žunac has a take on his character: he is stronger and more grounded because he is out. Both actors were aware of the importance of their roles towards a community that needs, in Croatia especially, good and positive representation.

Plot

Marko lives in a Croatian village with his parents and his younger brother Fićo, of whom he is very fond. Although he is a gifted athlete, he prepares to follow his father’s plan for him to become a car mechanic once he has finished school. Two events throw Marko’s seemingly stable life out of balance: the village is threatened by flooding, and his forbidden first love, Slaven, returns home for his father’s funeral. Marko struggles to stay focused on his girlfriend Petra and an upcoming sporting tournament. But the closer the floods loom, the greater his emotional turmoil grows. While the villagers work tirelessly to build sandbag walls around their homes, Marko builds a wall of his own – one designed to keep his emotions at bay. But like water, feelings have a way of breaking through all obstacles …

Written by: Angelo Acerbi

Generation 14plus