The Family
Slovenia, Austria / Documentary / 107' / HD / Colour / 2017
How can you create a stable life for your family if your own father, mother and brother all struggle with mental disability? Nevertheless, Matej is determined that his children will have it better than he did. Still a teenager himself, Matej decides to start a family of his own as soon as he gets the chance. But just when that ideal seems to be coming within reach, life gets in the way. The Family follows Matej in cinema verité style over the course of a decade, as he grows from a teenager into a young adult. We witness the tragic story of Matej, his family and the society in which he lives. A compassionate portrait of a brave young man trying to make the best of things, even though he hardly knows how.
Director: Rok Biček
Director of Photography: Rok Biček
Producer: Cvinger Film
Musician: Thomas Geissl
Editing: Rok Biček, Yulia Roschina
Sound: Julij Zornik
Cast: Matej Rajk, Nia Kastelec, Barbara Kastelec
CV
Rok Biček was born in 1985 in Slovenia. He directed several short films. His first feature, Class Enemy won the Fedeora award at Venice in 2014.
Filmography
2017 The Family, 2013 Class Enemy, 2009 Duck Hunting, 2008 Day in Venice
Festivals Attended
The Family: Locarno International Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival, Crossing Europe Film Festival, Dokufest International Documentary and Short Film Festival, Leipzig DOK Festival, Slovene Film Festival, Trieste Film Festival
Awards
The Family: Critics Week Award - Locarno International Film Festival, Best Film - Slovene Film Festival