Motovun Mon Amour

Motuvun is one of the most picturesque and interesting towns in Istria. Like many other cities in the region, it had a turbulent history. In 1948, almost everybody left, but, in recent years, newcomers (both Croatians and for eign ers) have occupied the houses again. An important question is: can these locals and newcomers create a coherent community? This documentary tries to find out by questioning representatives of the parties concerned.

The short film portrays several inhabitants who live here permanently or only part of the year. They have moved from various countries or other parts of Croatia to Motovun. Some were born here or lived in the town most of their lives. No matter whether they are craftsmen, restaurant owners, scientists or artists, the Motovun community is traditional as well as internationally oriented.

In "Motovun mon amour", 80-year-old Ljubica Handjal has almost the same opinion as the young student Filip Vrtaric, where as more controversial opinions come from the Dutch journalist Minke van Ingen, the businessman Klaudio Ivasic and the professor Ranko Bon, who lived most of his life in the US and England. Mirko Gabler, who works in New York as a designer, restaurant owners Livio and Dolores Lanka and the entrepreneurs Miro and Mirjana Kotiga – all have different points of view. However, their common opinion is the same: Motovun is worth an all-out effort. The doctor and great tenor Tomislav Pahovic would like to see more young families with children, knowing that the narrow streets of the old town might be a challenge. No matter whether they are locals or visitors – they all live in Motovun with mutual respect and tolerance and bound by their love for the town and region.

Source: German Films Service & Marketing GmbH