Ajyal Film Festival 2024

Block 5

Ajyal Competition - Ajyal Film Festival 2024

Klemen Dvornik / Slovenia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia / 2024 / 80 min / Colour / DCP / In Slovenian / Arabic, English subtitles
Themes: Adventure, Drama, Family
Rated: Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an individual aged 18 or older.

Description

‘Block 5’ tells the story of 12-year-old Alma, who has recently moved to a new neighbourhood with her father after the death of her mother, an environmental activist. Alma struggles to adjust to her new surroundings and finds herself at odds with Luna, the leader of a local skate gang. The two girls are bitter rivals until Alma discovers that her father’s company plans to demolish the community playground to build a parking lot. Determined to save the cherished green space, Alma realises she has no choice but to join forces with Luna and her gang.

What begins as a mission to stop the construction soon becomes a journey of understanding and teamwork. Alma and Luna, once enemies, must learn to work together to achieve their goal, discovering the importance of friendship, unity, and forgiveness along the way. As they plot to sabotage the construction project, their efforts reflect the greater struggle of preserving natural spaces in the face of modern development. The film is a touching and energetic adventure that highlights the power of young voices in the fight for environmental preservation, offering a heartwarming look at community and resilience in the face of challenges.

Director

Klemen Dvornik

Klemen Dvornik is an acclaimed Slovenian director, born in 1977 in Novo Mesto. He holds a degree in Film and TV directing from the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film, and Television in Ljubljana. His career spans music videos, television, and feature films, and he is best known for directing the successful TV series ‘The Lake’ (2019). Block 5 marks his latest feature film, selected for the Locarno Kids Screenings, which showcases his continuing passion for stories that bridge generational divides and promote social cohesion.

Credits

Screenwriter

Dora Šustić

Cinematographer

David Hofman

Editor

Ivana Fumić

Music

Davor Herce

Cast

Kaja Zabret, Kaja Šuštar, Niko Lemark, Youri Friderich

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