Zrinko Ogresta, acclaimed Croatian director, dies at 68 after struggles with film funding

Zrinko Ogresta, one of Croatia's most acclaimed filmmakers, has passed away at 68. Known for his distinct cinematic voice and numerous awards, Ogresta's career was marked by a recent struggle to get his projects produced.

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It looks like never.

In a final interview, Ogresta detailed his frustrating experiences with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC). He described submitting a script that received positive reviews and encouragement from one commission, only to be rejected by a subsequent one with contradictory feedback. This pattern repeated with another project, leading him to abandon it and begin work on a new script, "Veliki tjedan" (Holy Week).

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I needed a break from such mockery, which resulted in me giving up on that project and eventually starting work on a completely new one.

This new film, inspired by his personal challenges, was conceived as a mosaic of seven destinies unfolding over seven days. Ogresta expressed his disillusionment with the bureaucratic hurdles in film production, stating he felt like he was being subjected to "mockery." Despite these setbacks, he continued to pursue his passion, ultimately creating his final work.

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After a year's break, as if I have something masochistic in me, I take on new content, this last one. A script titled 'Veliki tjedan' (Holy Week) is created, a film about human suffering that presents seven fates in seven days of the week. Subconsciously perhaps also prompted by what I am going through.