Feature film
Stronghold of Toughs
Grajski biki
Jože Pogačnik · 1967
Synopsis
In a former manor turned into a reform school for war orphans, in the aftermath of the conflict, live boys whom nobody wants. Young Peter dreams of finding his father again and keeps clashing with Danny, a charismatic ringleader who is preparing an escape and turns the inmates against the educators and all figures of authority. Runaways turn into brief love affairs, blackmail leads to death, and the bureaucrats who ought to look after them see nothing.
Context
The screenplay by Primož Kozak, written with Marjan Brezovar, Vladimir Koch and the director, is based on a book by Peter Kavalar; the title takes up a line by the poet Dane Zajc about the great black bull bellowing in the pale dawn. The black-and-white cinematography is by Janez Kališnik, the music by Zoran Hristić, with Nikola Angelovski, Milutin Mičović and Hana Brejchová. Released on 26 April 1967 and shown the same year at Mannheim, the film displeased the authorities, and its director was afterwards sidelined for a long time.
Who it is for
A dark social drama, an hour and a half long, mixing sex and violence, with a sometimes confused narrative; to be reserved for an informed audience.
Prizes and reception
Shown again in 1998 at the Trieste festival, in a section devoted to the Yugoslav black wave, then in Los Angeles in 2011.