Fantasy (film)
| Fantasy | |
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 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Kukla (director) (Aka Katarina Rešek) |
| Screenplay by | Kukla |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Lazar Bogdanović |
| Edited by | Lukas Miheljak |
| Music by | Relja Ćupić |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Gustav film |
Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes |
| Countries |
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Fantasy is a 2025 Slovenian-Macedonian drama film co–written and directed by Kukla (Aka Katarina Rešek) in her feature debut.[1] The film starring Sarah Al Saleh, Alina Juhart and Mina Milovanović as three friends, explores the complexities of gender, desire, and self-discovery on meeting a transgender woman Fantasy. It is based on the same theme and characters as Kukla's 2020 short film Sisters.[2][3]
The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 8 August 2025, in the Filmmakers of the Present Competition section, where it competed for Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present[4]
Synopsis
Three tomboyish friends in their early twenties, Sina, Mihrije, and Jasna, navigate life in a Slovenian neighborhood where they clash with local boys who view them as disruptive. Their dynamic shifts with the arrival of Fantasy, a young transgender woman whose enigmatic presence gradually influences each of them. Although initially skeptical about romantic entanglements, Sina finds herself in an unexpected relationship. Jasna, seeking independence from her discontented mother, takes a job on a French cruise ship. Meanwhile, Mihrije flees to Macedonia with Fantasy to escape an arranged marriage, developing deeper feelings during their journey. Upon returning to Slovenia, the trio discovers how much they’ve changed, feeling emotionally distant from one another. Mihrije’s final visit to Fantasy’s apartment reveals she has vanished. Ultimately, each woman takes tentative steps into adulthood, forging paths that diverge from the futures they once imagined.
Cast
- Sarah Al Saleh as Mihrije
- Alina Juhart as Fantasy
- Mina Milovanović as Sina
- Mia Skrbinac as Jasna
Production
The project developed in 2022 at the 44th Cannes’ Résidence du Festival, held from 1 March to 15 July 2022, had production commitment from Ljubljana, Slovenia-based production company, December and co-production by North Macedonia-based Krug Film.[5][6]
The film shot for 29–days in Kruševo (North Macedonia), Trieste and Ljubljana was wrapped up on 9 December 2023.[7]
Release
Fantasy had its world premiere in the 'Filmmakers of the Present Competition' section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 8 August 2025, vying for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present.[8][9] It also competed for Heart of Sarajevo award in the Competition Programme - Feature Film at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival on 17 August 2025.[10][11]
Reception
Marko Stojiljković reviewing the film for Cineuropa at Locarno Film Festival gave it positive review. Stojiljković praised Kukla’s direction, screenwriting, Lazar Bogdanović's "subtle camerawork", Lukas Miheljak’s "rhythmic editing", Relja Čupić’s "moody electronic score" and Julij Zornik’s "perfectly calibrated sound design". Stojiljković commended Kukla for getting convincing performances from non-professional actors and building on her 2020 short film Sisters, and successfully expanding her vision into a distinctive feature. Stojiljković found Fantasy, a visually and sonically immersive film. [12]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present | Fantasy | Nominated | [13] |
| Sarajevo Film Festival | 22 August 2025 | Heart of Sarajevo | Pending | [14] |
References
- ^ "Fantasy". Locarno Film Festival. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Fantasy". Slovenian Film Centre. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Georg Szalai (4 August 2025). "Kukla's 'Fantasy' Invites Women to "See Themselves Through Their Own Lens" (Exclusive Locarno Clip)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Mona Tabbara (8 July 2025). "Locarno unveils 2025 line-up including premieres of Radu Jude's 'Dracula', Kamal Aljafari's 'With Hasan In Gaza'". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "The 44th session of the Résidence of the Festival de Cannes has been launched!". Festival de Cannes. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Slovenian films at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival". Slovenian Film Center. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Vinter, Damijan (15 December 2023). "Production: Slovenian Director Kukla Wraps Shooting Debut Feature Fantasy". Film New Europe. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (8 July 2025). "Radu Jude, Abdellatif Kechiche Head to Locarno as Swiss Fest Announces Lineup: An 'Ambitious and Exciting Edition'". Variety. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Fantasy". Filmoteka. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Leo Barraclough (23 July 2025). "Fifty Films Compete for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards at 31st Sarajevo Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "The Regional Premiere of the film FANTASY". Sarajevo Film Festival. 17 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Stojiljković, Marko (8 August 2025). "Review: Fantasy". Cineuropa. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Del Don, Muriel (9 July 2025). "Locarno announces the films selected for its parallel sections". Cineuropa. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (23 July 2025). "Sarajevo Film Festival Sets Competition Titles Including 15 World Premieres". Deadline. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
