A new Slovenian film making its debut at the Sarajevo Film Festival explores the complex transition between online friendship and real-world connection. Writer-director Urša Menart’s sophomore feature examines how social media creates intimate bonds between strangers, even as those digital interactions rely on carefully curated versions of ourselves. The film avoids dismissing the significance of virtual friendships while acknowledging the precarious nature of relationships conducted through screens.
The story centers on two women who begin as online acquaintances and decide to meet in person. Anuša Kodelja plays a grieving woman settling her late mother’s affairs, while Klara Kuk portrays a mental health content creator living in a German coastal town. When the first character unexpectedly arrives at the second’s doorstep, the two must navigate the messy reality of translating their digital rapport into tangible companionship during the winter months.
The film captures this delicate dynamic against desaturated beach landscapes that emphasize the women’s isolation. Initially, their connection strengthens through shared moments and complementary personalities—one cynical and detached, the other anxious and eager to please. However, as their time together extends, the relationship deepens into codependency, revealing psychological vulnerabilities beneath their online personas. The performances by both leads demonstrate naturalistic chemistry that grounds this intimate character study.
Menart balances the film’s exploration of emotional dysfunction with irreverent humor, creating a nuanced portrait of contemporary female friendship and the gaps between digital presentation and authentic selfhood.
Originally reported by Variety →
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