A Wonderful Night in Split

A Wonderful Night in Split is a 2004 dramatic film directed by Arsen Anton Ostojić, featuring performances by Dino Dvornik, Mladen Vulic, and the international rap star, Coolio. This movie is a captivating picture that throws you into the whirlwind of passions and events that happen throughout the course of one night in the beautiful city of Split which is the second-largest city in Croatia.

The storyline of A Wonderful Night in Split largely focuses on three parallel plots that intertwine in a surrealistic and dream-like fashion. It is New Year's Eve, a night where the entire city is celebrating, expectations are high and the characters are all confronted with their past, present, and future as they face the question – should they stay or leave their homeland.

Firstly, there is the character Franky, played by the late Croatian musician and actor Dino Dvornik. Franky, a laid back sailor, returns home for the holiday season with the dreams of rekindling his romance with his ex-girlfriend, Tina. The tension rises when it is revealed that Tina is now involved with a business tycoon named Geno. Franky's character is a complex mix of emotions, hope, and despair. His portrayal by Dvornik is both moving and melancholic.

Secondly, the storyline follows the lives of a couple waiting for their opportunity to leave Split. This couple includes the young and vivacious Bepo (Mladen Vulic) and his pregnant girlfriend, Marija. Their relationship, tainted by the decision to stay or leave, punches the audience with an intimate but tough display of their love and struggle. They often find themselves at odds with each other, stuck in the middle of their past and their uncertain futures.

Lastly, the film features an international rap star, played by the renowned American rapper, Coolio. His character is billed to play a concert in Split, under the management of the dubious entrepreneur, Professor. Throughout the night, there is the anticipation that Coolio will appear on stage erupting in a grand performance which is set to sweep the city dwellers into a frenzy and change the outcome of the evening.

A Wonderful Night in Split heavily utilises elements of black and white cinematography which creates an atmospheric aura. The film manifests a kind of nostalgic melancholy that adds to the general uneasy ambience of the movie. The striking black and white visuals set a moody contrast against the city's vivacious celebrations, adding a layer of noir to the visual storytelling.

The constant switching of scenes between the three storylines keeps the audience engaged and curious about the next turn of events. Each character's story serves to piece together a bigger picture that ultimately conveys the common reality of urban anxieties, relationship struggles, and the complexity of human emotions.

Boundless passion, hope, despair, and the uncanny interaction with the past, present, and future are the core themes of this movie. It gives a fresh take on urban lifestyles, interspersing nightlife, love, music, success, and failure within the gritty framework of the narrative. The film portrays a profound sense of realism, capturing the nuances of human relationships and societal norms against the backdrop of one of Croatia's most enchanting cities.

One of the shining accomplishments of A Wonderful Night in Split is the ingenious work of renowned Croatian screenwriter, Mate Matišić. His writing, combined with Ostojić's inventive direction, chisels out the characters' intimate truths, their dreams, their hopes, and their fears. Together, they have created a movie that serves both as a complex character study and an impressive and authentic portrayal of a city's vibrant community.

The soundtrack is yet another significant aspect of A Wonderful Night in Split. The score, teeming with a mix of jazz, electro, and hip-hop tunes, enriches the cinematic experience, adding to the raw emotions reflected on the screen.

Overall, A Wonderful Night in Split captures the rhythm of one bustling night in Split and delivers a multi-threaded story that is both intriguing and heartfelt. Any follower of Croatian cinema or individual with a taste for complex, dramatic storylines should not miss out on this feature. The movie not only manages to portray human struggles and their interweaving relationships, but it also effectively paints a vivid picture of the Split metropolis, creating a blend of stark reality and dreamy surrealism.