THE CORMORANT SCARECROW

HRT, Croatian television
1998, Documentary, colour
duration 30 minutes
16 and 35 mm
English subtitles

Director BRANKO ISTVANCIC
Screenwriter DAVOR SISMANOVIC
Camera BRANKO CAHUN
Editor VISNJA STERN
Music PERE ISTVANCIC
Sound TONI JURKOVIC

Synopsis:
The Cormorant Scarecrow's basic intention is not to provide analysis of an economic problem, nor to offer solutions. This film simply wants to tell the story of a specific occupation, unusual not only because it is rare, but rounded out within it, I could almost say self-sufficient. It is a real "life on a small scale", a micro universe nearing extinction. To these people, guarding the fish farm by frightening away the cormorants is not a mere job but an obsession of sorts, and it does not end when the working day comes to a close. The reason for this attitude perhaps becomes clearer if we translate the administrative, dry description of their job into more human language. In this way, it seems to me, it becomes possible to see that what we have in this case is a battle for existence in it's most elementary form. Naturally, the cormorants are not doing a job they have "hidden" intentions they are merely trying to survive. And what could be called their "guilt" is exclusively a human categorization. On the other hand, the occupation of the guards is a factor in existential security. Therein lies the key to the relationship between the cormorants and their "scarecrows". Perhaps only subconsciously, but the guards is a factor in existential security, as long as the cormorants are there. This film has tried to show the compelling interdependence created in this way.
(Davor Sismanovic, screenwriter)

Film Director's Statement:
The aim of the film The Cormorant Scarecrow is neither an analysis of an economic problem nor a search for a solution. The film simply aims at telling the story about an occupation, unusual not only in that it is rare, but also in that it is in itself complete, one might even say self-sufficient. It is, in fact, "life on a small scale", a microcosm that is disappearing. To guard a fishpond and scare away the distant cormorants is not only a job, but also a form of an obsession that does not end at the close of the working day. (Branko Istvancic)

Festivals:
Croatian Film Festival 1998
International Tourfilm Festival Split Croatia 1998
Croatian New Cinema Budapest Hungary 2001
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL USA 2003
Rastgele International Sea and Fishermen Film Festival 2005

CONTACT:

HRT - CROATIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION
International Relations Department
Prisavlje 3
10000 ZAGREB Croatia
Phone: + 385 1 6343691
Fax: + 385 1 6343692
E-mail: vladimir.spicer@hrt.hr
E-mail: branka.prazic@hrt.hr
www.hrt.hr