The most recent film from veteran Želimir Žilnik reflects on his own artistic journey by following the story of a man who moves back to his country to reclaim the home that had previously been owned by the government for decades, and now finally can be released to the remaining heirs. It takes the protagonist on a voyage into both the past and present, allowing him to cross paths with a range of characters, each one adding something new and compelling to his journey back home. A film that takes its time and invites us to take a memorable trip with a few fascinating characters, ”Eighty Plus” is a solid, well-made work from a master who has rarely been more honest about many of the inevitabilities that we all have to face at one point or another. – International Cinephile Society
Želimir Žilnik
RS / SI 2025 | Fipresci Award, GoEast
118 min | Serbian, German
Želimir Žilnik
Born in 1942 in Novi Sad, Serbia. From the socialist state under Tito to the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s and the Balkan wars of the 1990s, his oeuvre of over fifty films reflects the cultural, political and economic conditions of different societies. His ability to develop compelling narratives from the everyday lives of ordinary people is a recurring theme throughout his work.
Films (selection)
Paradies 1976 | The Second Generation 1984 | The Old School of Capitalism 2009 | Logbook_Serbistan 2015 | Das schönste Land der Welt 2018 | Eighty Plus 2025
R: Želimir Žilnik | B: Želimir Žilnik, Tanja Šljivar | DOP: Jovan Milinov | E: Vuk Vukmirović | P: Sarita Matijević Žilnik | Mit Milan Kovačević, Milivoj Kiždobranski, Vera Hrćan Ostojić, Mirjana Gardinovački, Lidija Stevanović, Katharina Gualtieri, Radoje Čupić, Nina Stamenković