Partenza

Metaphorically, the film addresses a story about departure, waiting and separation, dictated by migrations. Partenza (Italian for departure, and used in many of Croatia’s island and coastal dialects) is inspired by the contemporary tragedies of migrants at sea. The film links two stories – the one of Croatia from the early 20th century and today’s plight of African and Asian refugees. In the early 20th century, it was common yet traumatic for men to leave Croatian islands (mostly bound for the countries of South America) due to poverty and hunger. One of these tragic stories is weaved into the author’s family history. This film, using migrant and refugee stories which repeat throughout history, very powerfully and suggestively points to the human condition as fragile and susceptible to political, economic and social changes.