War in Croatia meets Tarkovski in ZFF's main programme this year. Croatian war drama 'The Blacks' is one of the films that will compete for ZFF's main award Golden Pram. Directed by acclaimed documentary authors Zvonimir Juriæ and Goran Deviæ, 'The Blacks' is a slow paced war drama dealing with war crimes and guilt. Film was awarded with Croatian national award Golden Arena for Best Director (Juriæ and Deviæ), Best Sound (Dubravka Premar) and Best Supporting Actor (Nikša Butijer) and features regional all star cast - Ivo Gregureviæ, Franjo Dijak, Krešimir Mikiæ, Rakan Rushaidat, Emir Hadžihafizbegoviæ.

The story takes place in city under the siege. The truce has been recently signed, and the squad known as the 'Blacks', who used to do the dirty jobs, needs to be disbanded. Ivo, the squad commander who has lost three of his soldiers, prepares the action to retrieve their dead bodies from the forest and, despite the ceasefire, blow up the dam, thus causing a great damage to the enemy: The survived members of the squad, tortured by their personal doubts and guilt, move into action. On the battlefield, they find the enemy they are searching for is in the place they least expect - inside themselves.

For three years, Juriæ and Deviæ worked together on this story. Finally they filmed it under the influence of 'Romanian style' using long uninterrupted takes. 'The Blacks' is their first directorial collaboration.