Modra

Modra

An absolutely delightful film by Torontonian Ingrid Veninger. She wrote, directed and produced this charming film. It is currently paying at the Royal Cinema. The only problem is that the Royal is never open in the daytime and sometimes will have only one showing per evening of a specific film. It is worth the effort to attend.

Ingrid Veninger is from Slovakia. She remembered her trip back at the age of 17 to meet relatives she had not seen in many years.

Modra means blue and is the small town in Slovakia where Ingrid was born. It is nestled in the hills of magnificent country. She took a cast of 3 and used her own relatives as the characters in the film.

In this film her own daughter plays the role of 17 year old Lina. Lina is about to go to Modra for a week of vacation to meet her relatives. On the evening before her departure she talks a young school chum, Leko, to join her on the trip. While it is hard to believe that this could even have happened it made for a delightful story .It was also surprising that these conservative relatives allowed them to share a room even if they had separate beds.

Lina and Leko arrive at the charming town of Modra and are welcomed by the family. The old great aunt is in her late nineties. Good for her in being part of the film. Many of her family are musicians so we are treated to wonderful folk music. Some of the family greet her in traditional costume.

Lina and Leko are welcomed everywhere. Through their eyes we get to see the town and the neighboring city. We see the magnificent landscape.

The two youth bicker and chat with one another. It is touching. We feel for them when they argue. They are only seventeen. They are learning about love and communication.

Ingrid was in attendance to discuss the film following the show. She felt it was right that the two characters do not stay together as a team. She felt that rejection and splitting up are part of the lives of teenagers .The young stars were also in attendance.

I loved every part of the film. I enjoyed the view of Modra and the surrounding area. I enjoyed the interplay between the two teens. I loved all the family members. I felt as if I was along on the trip. The cinematography is great. The camera would often linger on the craggy face of a senior family member. The breathtaking countryside was also spectacular.

This film was so refreshing from the murder, drugs and terror I have watched in so many recent films.