Ivana the Terrible

Ivana the Terrible is a semi-autobiographical drama film that grapples with the inner struggles and complexities of the modern human condition. This Romanian-Serbian cinema, delicately infused with nuances of comedy, was released in 2019 and is primarily shot in the town of Kladovo, Serbia. The film is directed by Ivana Mladenovic, who is also the protagonist, laying a strong foundation of her real-life experiences in her second directorial venture.

The narrative of Ivana the Terrible revolves around the real-life figure Ivana Mladenovic, who portrays a version of herself in the film. Following years of living a nomadic life in Bucharest, Romania, the film opens with Ivana returning to her hometown, Kladovo, for recovery from an inexplicable condition causing panic attacks and fainting spells. The small Serbian town that shares its borders with Romania is cast into the limelight as the single set for the unfolding of Ivana's life drama.

Surrounded by her close, often squabbling family, a bundle of over-enthusiastic neighbors, and old friends, Ivana finds herself in an unremitting conflict between her cosmopolitan aspirations and her small-town roots. The script beautifully intertwines the clash of two worlds as it juxtaposes a party-going, free-wheeling urban life against the conservative, sedate rhythm of her familial abode.

A significant part of the film is also dedicated to Ivana's animated interactions with Anca Pop, an enthusiastic local girl who is ever eager to escape the town's banality, faithfully played by Anca Pop herself. Ivana's sensitivity in depicting the dreams, frustrations, and aspirations of small-town youth stands in stark contrast to the narrative's most volatile element, her peculiar bond with Andrei Dinescu’s character, and the gradual understanding that ensues.

The heart of Ivana the Terrible, however, lies in its humanistic portrayal of a family drama and the intricate dilemmas of the self versus society. Ivana's relationship with her mother is layered delicately with raw, often harsh, episodes of mother-daughter camaraderie and tension. Meanwhile, her father personifies the tranquillity and traditionalism of the provincial Serbian society that Ivana has long left behind but cannot escape. His quiet, mostly unassertive demeanor brought alive by Nenic Mladenovic, Ivana's real-life father, adds depth to the family dynamics.

Uncorked is Ivana's wild relationship with her inactive boyfriend, intervening frequently via phone calls and playing an integral role in Ivana’s exploration of herself. The dialogue is sprinkled generously with acerbic wit and dark humor, drowning the narrative neither in melodrama nor in existential gloom. The film blurs the line between fiction and reality as it captures raw, unscripted moments that amalgamate seamlessly with the screenplay.

Despite being rooted in a personal narrative, Ivana the Terrible doesn't refrain from dabbling into political undertones. The celebrations of the controversial Romanian national hero, Trajan, and the political musings of the town's youth add a broader context to this microcosm of human intricacies. The screenplay is littered with references to cross-border tensions and indirect critiques of rigid nationalism, weaving in the cultural-political landscape of the Balkans into Ivana's personal journey.

Kudos to the cinematography by Cristian Pasca, which shines in its simplicity and its ability to capture the somber beauty of the small-town world coupled with a musical score that compliments the unsettling tranquillity of Kladovo.

Ivana the Terrible is replete with unfiltered, raw emotions, unrehearsed encounters, and touching moments of self-realization. Directed with authenticity by Mladenovic, the film investigates an individual's personal journey to self, played against the backdrop of a microcosmic society. It’ll especially resonate with viewers who’ve ever felt pulled in opposite directions by their sense of belonging, dreams, and desire.