Run for Existence (Trci za zivot)

A Starhill Films and Dreams production based on Dept. of Culture, Belgrade City Set up, Secretary of state for Culture from the Republic of Serbia, NHK, Jan Vrijman Fund of IDFA. Created by Mladen Maticevic. Co-producers, Nikola Majdak Junior., Ana Stankovic. Directed by Mladen Maticevic.With: Gebre Egziabher Gebre Sellasie, Tamirat Legesse, Estifanos Eshetu, Mladen Maticevic, Zoran Molovic, Boban Stojanovic, Dragan Zivotic, Slobodan Brankovic, Streten Mijovic. Narrator: Mladen Maticevic. (Serbian, British, Amharic dialogue)Filmmaker Mladen Maticevic gets to be more part of the storyline than he expects in "Run for Existence," a modest but moving docu around three Ethiopian lengthy distance runners who defect to Serbia with the hope of enhancing their career possibilities as well as their lives. Audience-friendly, humanist tale should continue its jog round the fest circuit before segueing by-viewing formats. In 2007, marathoners Gebre Egziabher Gebre Sellasie, Tamirat Legesse and Estifanos Eshetu visit Podgorica, Montenegro, to compete, plus some days later end up in Belgrade declaring asylum. Stuck for several weeks inside a refugee camping, they ultimately speak to a local sports club that puts them in contact with a supportive trainer. That coach, Zoran Molovic, takes them on as clients, supplying them accommodation at his home within the small farming village of Pambukovica in exchange for his or her deal with the area along with a share of the eventual winnings. It comes down to this time around the youthful runners arrived at the interest of helmer Maticevic (whose previous docu, "How to be quite the hero,Inch shows his self-transformation from an overweight, in poor condition 40-year-old right into a daily runner and competitor within the Belgrade marathon.) Immediately connecting using the Ethiopians -- and purchasing them newer and more effective footwear -- Maticevic begins to follow along with their existence within the village, training regimen and races, as well as their mission for Serbian citizenship. Regardless of Maticevic's mentioned preference for films with happy being, his docu implies that real existence isn't any story book. Even though Ethiopians make lots of buddies within the village over 18 several weeks, most touchingly with cheerful neighbor Boban Stojanovic, whom they find yourself calling "Father," their racing answers are not too spectacular the Serbian government is wanting to grant them citizenship. Furthermore, they find existence in Europe isn't as simple as they'd naively expected. These disappointments result in dissatisfaction using their initial mentor Molovic, who provides several excuses for his training foibles and supplies evidence the runners weren't entirely honest with him. Maticevic dimensions up matters by having an unjaundiced eye, helping all his subjects to maneuver past petty recriminations and target the most positive possible final results. His kindly, lower-to-earth spirit rules the film, especially through his low-key narration. Straightforward production package is appealing, using the lovely score and animated credits, both by Dejan Vucetic Vuca, particularly worth note.Camera (color, DV), Nikola Majdak Junior., editor, Suzana Stevanovic music, Dejan Vucetic Vuca seem, Vladimir Jankovic Stonce, Milan Mihailovic Milance, Ivan Antic Antrax. Examined in the Sarajevo Film Festival (competing), This summer 27, 2011. Running time: 87 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com