Fine Dead Girls (2002/Croatia/First Run Features)
Picture: C Sound: C+ Film: C+ Film: B-
Dalibor
Matanic’s Fine Dead Girls (2002)
could have been another serial killer thriller, but the murder of a “few dead
females” (who could be at the hands of several suspects, including some Nazi skinheads)
is not the simple premise of this surprisingly interesting tale that is as much
about Croatia, privacy, ignorant people and the strange ways the country has
changed since the fall of The Iron Curtain.
As murder
is going on, a lesbian couple (Marija and Iva) moving into an apartment
building that is family-owned, with many longtime residents who seem to know
each other. This includes a doctor. They think they’ll have a private place to be
where they can live their lives and be left alone, but they quickly discover
that the building and its people have more secrets than even any of the
longtimers (young and old) know, secrets that are about to overspill as what
turned out to be a delicate arrangement turns out to be murderous. The son of the landlords this one the one
young lady, not knowing how close the roommates are, then takes it
personally. So does his mother.
My only
problems with the film were that the ending did not add up, I wanted a little more
out of the situation in general and I think there are a few missed
opportunities here. However, it is still
very good and worth going out of your way for.
Despite
the fact that the anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image was shot in 35mm, the
transfer here is sadly too soft throughout, holding back Branko Linta’s amazing
cinematography. First Run should make
this an early Blu-ray release when the time comes. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo mix has no
surrounds here, but dialogue is consistent and the recording is professional
overall. Extras include a six-part
piece about the Global Film Initiative, PDF discussion guide with director’s
notes, bios, historical backgrounds & text on Croatia, Global Lens Showcase
and trailers for the 2007 picks.
- Nicholas Sheffo
