Three `big city' college beauties use their summer vacation to go on a backwoods canoe trip down the Kolpa river which divides off limits Croatia from Slovenia. Overtly ominous background music and `Peeping Tom' camera angles warn us of the wild dangers this world has to offer. Yet what appears at first to be a Slovinian `Blair Witch Project' develops instead into a slightly murky exploration of political, cultural and religious constraints. Fearless lesbian, Zana, is looking for love and acceptance and tries to get it from her friend Alja. Simona wants to be seduced and begins to imagine the local xenophobic traditionalist as her Prince Charming. Alja seeks independence from her cloying boyfriend, overbearing father, judgmental roommate Simona and now her new lover Zana. In addition to confronting their own demons on the journey the girls are confronted with homophobia, racism, nationalism, traditionalism, sexism and terrorism. Unfortunately much of the film's impact gets lost towards the end as it oscillates too wildly between fantasy and reality. This film does however provide high production values, fine acting, an intriguing concept, sophisticated humor, gorgeous locals and a delightful Slovenian pop soundtrack.
12 Reviews
Life is a dream
lastliberal21 August 2008
One has to suspect that misadventure will occur when three college girls plan a trip down the river dividing Slovenia and Croatia. After all, the paper reports a similar girl missing from a trip from friends. Is there something lurking in the woods?
The trip down the river was a sight to behold. The scenery was absolutely beautiful - that included two of the girls who decided to get more of a tan! Yes, the wildlife on the river is spectacular to watch; as is the wildlife going down the river, but who is that man that keeps popping up?
The politics of Slovenia and Croatia, and the contrasting values of city folk and country folk keep recurring through the movie. Right-wing speeches made it seem like a Republican convention.
It went into a fantasy after that and it is left up to the viewer to determine what happened, but it certainly challenges the imagination and beliefs.
The trip down the river was a sight to behold. The scenery was absolutely beautiful - that included two of the girls who decided to get more of a tan! Yes, the wildlife on the river is spectacular to watch; as is the wildlife going down the river, but who is that man that keeps popping up?
The politics of Slovenia and Croatia, and the contrasting values of city folk and country folk keep recurring through the movie. Right-wing speeches made it seem like a Republican convention.
It went into a fantasy after that and it is left up to the viewer to determine what happened, but it certainly challenges the imagination and beliefs.
everything that's on girl's mind!
anya_ocean15 May 2002
True and (sur)realistic! If you want to know what it is like to be a growing up woman in a small European country go and see it. The end is a little bit confusing, what is typical of Slovene movies, but what struck me the most was the director's message in the end which says LOVE IS A DREAM... DEDICATED TO MYSELF
Slovenians can make self-conscious tripe, too
lonflexx14 August 2011
Can't recommend this silly effort unless you're really into Slovenian T&A.
Three potty-mouthed bratz from Ljubljana canoe topless to Croatia seemingly unaware of the distraction they cause to the local peasantry. Hm... or are they really so unwitting?
Throughout the overlong running time, these three empty-headed boobs talk obsessively about sex and advertise their young bodies to old men, grannies, retards and wildlife. Eventually they provoke the response they are looking for, bringing down the wrath of the ancient Slavic pagans.
The theme of contemporary banality vs. primeval mysticism is presented symbolically and would have been more successful if it had been taken further in this direction. What the viewer is left with is a film about how women instinctively eroticize their fears, particularly their fear of The Other - a philosophical concept much in favor throughout the writings of Slovenian academic Zizek. The Other here is symbolized by the creepy wilderness of Croatia where folk are lawless, inscrutable and potentially deadly. Our girls absorb just enough terror and brutality to lubricate their sex lives and one girl is apparently led to ovulation - the deepest chamber of her womanhood.
And when they finally escape their frenzied all-night ordeal they return to the prosaic comforts of civilization, where beer tastes crappy, rock bands suck, relationships fall apart and old coots still make lame passes at teenage hotties.
So, Guardians of the Border really only succeeds in being a sexy travelogue. If only Croatia really were this interesting...
Three potty-mouthed bratz from Ljubljana canoe topless to Croatia seemingly unaware of the distraction they cause to the local peasantry. Hm... or are they really so unwitting?
Throughout the overlong running time, these three empty-headed boobs talk obsessively about sex and advertise their young bodies to old men, grannies, retards and wildlife. Eventually they provoke the response they are looking for, bringing down the wrath of the ancient Slavic pagans.
The theme of contemporary banality vs. primeval mysticism is presented symbolically and would have been more successful if it had been taken further in this direction. What the viewer is left with is a film about how women instinctively eroticize their fears, particularly their fear of The Other - a philosophical concept much in favor throughout the writings of Slovenian academic Zizek. The Other here is symbolized by the creepy wilderness of Croatia where folk are lawless, inscrutable and potentially deadly. Our girls absorb just enough terror and brutality to lubricate their sex lives and one girl is apparently led to ovulation - the deepest chamber of her womanhood.
And when they finally escape their frenzied all-night ordeal they return to the prosaic comforts of civilization, where beer tastes crappy, rock bands suck, relationships fall apart and old coots still make lame passes at teenage hotties.
So, Guardians of the Border really only succeeds in being a sexy travelogue. If only Croatia really were this interesting...
A half-baked "Deliverance"
nonstoptomain26 September 2002
Half a mystical thriller and half the fractured fantasies of a fragile mind, "Guardian of the Frontier" is an engaging trip that soon derails. Strong imagery and a compelling premise is soon overwhelmed by incoherent plotting, hackneyed dialogue, amateurish acting, and the most outlandish and over-the-top phallic imagery in recent memory (here, a fish is most definitely not just a fish!). Evidently, this is the first Slovenian feature film to be directed by a woman -- Ms. Weiss must have been determined to prove that she could be as lurid and gratuitously explicit as any man.
An excellent Slovenian movie
cabrilo26 August 2005
During the first 20 or so minutes of the movie, I was afraid that this was going to be yet another cheap attempt to make a day-horror film: three girls take a trip down the river dividing Slovenia and Croatia.
But, it turned out to be one of the best films from Slovenia I have ever seen. The movie is not an attempt at excellent directing or acting. All of the technical accepts are very average, but good enough to make you concentrate on the actual plot.
Not that there is a clear-cut plot. The movies is more of a statement, or a description, of differences between good and bad, moral and immoral and different understandings of social norms.
Although the film does deal with LGBT issues, it seems that Maja Weiss is only using this theme to deal with many more issues.
Characters are never developed and I didn't get the feeling that the movie is about them, they simply represent certain aspects of society.
As the film takes place in Slovenia (and Croatia), I would recommend to watch it, since it takes a different approach than "western" movies dealing with these kinds of issues would.
But, it turned out to be one of the best films from Slovenia I have ever seen. The movie is not an attempt at excellent directing or acting. All of the technical accepts are very average, but good enough to make you concentrate on the actual plot.
Not that there is a clear-cut plot. The movies is more of a statement, or a description, of differences between good and bad, moral and immoral and different understandings of social norms.
Although the film does deal with LGBT issues, it seems that Maja Weiss is only using this theme to deal with many more issues.
Characters are never developed and I didn't get the feeling that the movie is about them, they simply represent certain aspects of society.
As the film takes place in Slovenia (and Croatia), I would recommend to watch it, since it takes a different approach than "western" movies dealing with these kinds of issues would.
Disappointing adventure film with unconvincing acting
Dilip6 March 2006
Three young college women, Simona (Iva Krajnc), Alja (Tanja Potocnik), and Zana (Pia Zemljic), go on an adventure canoing down the River Kolpa, dividing their Slovenia from neighboring Croatia, in this 2002 Slovenian film by Maya Weiss. What could have been an Eastern European version of the well-known and exciting 1972 "Deliverance" turned out, for me, to be utterly uninspiring with flat character portrayals that denied sympathetic identification with the characters.
Alja and Zana are not convincing as students at all, though Alja expresses a desire to be a writer, and both use what seemed to me to be excessive bad language. Alja is bored with her boyfriend and seems to just be drifting along in life. Zana, even less scholarly, is a self-absorbed adventure seeker with an attraction to other women. I had some sympathy with relatively innocent Simona, conservative and starry eyed. The very idea of these three traveling together just doesn't work for me. The disdain that Zana and Alja show toward Simona makes no sense - why would they choose her as a travel companion to start with as surely they must know her demeanor and attitudes?
The three begin a carefree journey down the river on two canoes, undeterred by a news story of a woman's disappearance along the river. Things become more somber with the mysterious appearance, sometimes real and sometimes possibly hallucinatory, of a rabidly conservative fisherman politician (Jonas Znidarsic).
I did enjoy the scenes along the river and of small villages the trio visit. It may be because of a lack of cultural understanding, but the film didn't move me otherwise. I was surprised to see that the film has won some awards.
Alja and Zana are not convincing as students at all, though Alja expresses a desire to be a writer, and both use what seemed to me to be excessive bad language. Alja is bored with her boyfriend and seems to just be drifting along in life. Zana, even less scholarly, is a self-absorbed adventure seeker with an attraction to other women. I had some sympathy with relatively innocent Simona, conservative and starry eyed. The very idea of these three traveling together just doesn't work for me. The disdain that Zana and Alja show toward Simona makes no sense - why would they choose her as a travel companion to start with as surely they must know her demeanor and attitudes?
The three begin a carefree journey down the river on two canoes, undeterred by a news story of a woman's disappearance along the river. Things become more somber with the mysterious appearance, sometimes real and sometimes possibly hallucinatory, of a rabidly conservative fisherman politician (Jonas Znidarsic).
I did enjoy the scenes along the river and of small villages the trio visit. It may be because of a lack of cultural understanding, but the film didn't move me otherwise. I was surprised to see that the film has won some awards.
Rituals and Womanhood...
Autonome20 December 2004
"The first female directed Slovene narrative feature film, Guardians of the frontier follows three college girls on a canoe trip through the woods.As they travel down the Kolpa River, which separates the relatively affluent Slovenia from the downtrodden Croatia, they find themselves in the midst of a hallucinatory combination of nationalist and personal passions."
in Slovene with English subtitles
Guardians of the Frontier takes the viewer on the coming of age journey of three young women. The perspective is completely unbiased and neutral. Many aspects and dilemmas of life are presented, and the plot has no singular focus. The characters of the three young women are meticulously and realistically presented. They are very interesting and representative in their differences, which, by the film's end can be seen as archetypical in nature. This is the type of film which is compelling later, when one realizes how succinct and unique it is.
What is doubly striking about this film is that the director is also a woman. It is not a film by a man based on a man's concept of a woman. It is not male nor anti-male, it is operating on a whole different level. The whole film is presented from a distinctly female point of view and the perceptions, issues and context are fundamentally different. A man could just not make this film. The young women, the feel of their characters, their interpretation of the world, and the issues they face are genuinely and distinctly those of women.
The cinematography, like many Slovenian films, is striking, artistic, yet subtle. Clearly it was filmed on emulsion film. Considering it's traditional yet modern cinemagraphic style, a plot accurately representing a women's perspective, and that it is also directed by a woman, Guardians of the Frontier offers a satisfying contrast to Hollywood.
I saw this film at the NSK State in Time/Slovene Avant Garde exhibit in Seattle, November, 2004.
Thank You, Maja, and I look forward to seeing more creative work from you in the future.
in Slovene with English subtitles
Guardians of the Frontier takes the viewer on the coming of age journey of three young women. The perspective is completely unbiased and neutral. Many aspects and dilemmas of life are presented, and the plot has no singular focus. The characters of the three young women are meticulously and realistically presented. They are very interesting and representative in their differences, which, by the film's end can be seen as archetypical in nature. This is the type of film which is compelling later, when one realizes how succinct and unique it is.
What is doubly striking about this film is that the director is also a woman. It is not a film by a man based on a man's concept of a woman. It is not male nor anti-male, it is operating on a whole different level. The whole film is presented from a distinctly female point of view and the perceptions, issues and context are fundamentally different. A man could just not make this film. The young women, the feel of their characters, their interpretation of the world, and the issues they face are genuinely and distinctly those of women.
The cinematography, like many Slovenian films, is striking, artistic, yet subtle. Clearly it was filmed on emulsion film. Considering it's traditional yet modern cinemagraphic style, a plot accurately representing a women's perspective, and that it is also directed by a woman, Guardians of the Frontier offers a satisfying contrast to Hollywood.
I saw this film at the NSK State in Time/Slovene Avant Garde exhibit in Seattle, November, 2004.
Thank You, Maja, and I look forward to seeing more creative work from you in the future.
Guardian of the Frontier a.k.a. Varuh Meje
FrankDamage25 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting premise with lots of potential, but in the end it comes up just as shallow and pretentious as the "mysterious river" that carries the three main characters on their confusing and unrevealing journey. Not that it doesn't offer up some revelation, but its no great surprise once we get there; as we're given ample samplings of what's to come during the tediously slow and clumsy progression. We briefly wade through a few cultural topics, but sail past them quickly without any illumination to the viewer who may be unfamiliar with the region's history.
At times through its very conflicting music it alludes to being a horror, or thriller film. Though after the rhythmic escalations peak it leaves us falling out of the boat into the murky waters of little more than the overblown ineffective drama that it proves to be.
In addition, too much anger is generated by 2 of the two dimensional characters and there's really nothing that can be either seen, or imagined that would make us sympathetic to their undefined "plight" and angst. It's also unfortunate that the one character who should generate the most sympathy simply doesn't due to bad acting and directing.
I really did want to like this as I frequently enjoy the exposure of the various cultural subtleties and styles within the "foreign" films we are so very privileged to be able to freely view in my country. However, much like the two sides of the river I was very conflicted in doing so. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a "foreign" film that I didn't enjoy to some degree. Although I certainly won't be able to say that again after viewing this.
Maja Weiss has primarily directed documentaries throughout her career and though I haven't seen any of them I'm going to chance saying that she'd probably be better off sticking to what she knows. Because although what we see here may be obviously foreign to many of us, it seems even MORE SO to her.
At times through its very conflicting music it alludes to being a horror, or thriller film. Though after the rhythmic escalations peak it leaves us falling out of the boat into the murky waters of little more than the overblown ineffective drama that it proves to be.
In addition, too much anger is generated by 2 of the two dimensional characters and there's really nothing that can be either seen, or imagined that would make us sympathetic to their undefined "plight" and angst. It's also unfortunate that the one character who should generate the most sympathy simply doesn't due to bad acting and directing.
I really did want to like this as I frequently enjoy the exposure of the various cultural subtleties and styles within the "foreign" films we are so very privileged to be able to freely view in my country. However, much like the two sides of the river I was very conflicted in doing so. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a "foreign" film that I didn't enjoy to some degree. Although I certainly won't be able to say that again after viewing this.
Maja Weiss has primarily directed documentaries throughout her career and though I haven't seen any of them I'm going to chance saying that she'd probably be better off sticking to what she knows. Because although what we see here may be obviously foreign to many of us, it seems even MORE SO to her.
A canoe trip in Slovenia--dream, nightmare, or reality?
Red-12515 November 2003
Varuh meje (2002), shown here as "Guardian of the Frontier" is an unsettling film. Three young female college students take what is supposed to be a relaxing canoe trip down a scenic river in Slovenia.This is not a nature movie, so we know things will go wrong, and things definitely go very wrong.
Ultimately, the students find themselves in a small, rural village, which appears eminently safe. At that point, the film reminded me of Southern Comfort (1981). In Southern Comfort, urban soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard are lost in a swamp, attacked by local inhabitants, and then enter a village of "good Cajuns" who may or may not be what they seem.
The tension in both films derives from the reaction of people who, while extremely competent in their own environment, find themselves in an environment where new skills are needed if they are to survive.
"Guardian of the Frontier" provides some lovely footage of Slovenian scenery, and some unexpected themes–-the artificiality
of the separation between two tiny countries--Slovenia and
Croatia--xenophobia, and rural/urban prejudices.
This is certainly not a must-see movie. On the other hand, how often do we get a chance to see any Slovenian movie in Upstate New York? "Guardian of the Frontier" is worth seeing near
home or on VHS or DVD. It's not a film for which it's worth a special trip to Slovenia to view without subtitles.
Ultimately, the students find themselves in a small, rural village, which appears eminently safe. At that point, the film reminded me of Southern Comfort (1981). In Southern Comfort, urban soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard are lost in a swamp, attacked by local inhabitants, and then enter a village of "good Cajuns" who may or may not be what they seem.
The tension in both films derives from the reaction of people who, while extremely competent in their own environment, find themselves in an environment where new skills are needed if they are to survive.
"Guardian of the Frontier" provides some lovely footage of Slovenian scenery, and some unexpected themes–-the artificiality
of the separation between two tiny countries--Slovenia and
Croatia--xenophobia, and rural/urban prejudices.
This is certainly not a must-see movie. On the other hand, how often do we get a chance to see any Slovenian movie in Upstate New York? "Guardian of the Frontier" is worth seeing near
home or on VHS or DVD. It's not a film for which it's worth a special trip to Slovenia to view without subtitles.
Unsubtle incoherent dragging and clumsy metaphor
m_ats6 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is a weak throw-together of just about everything: refugees, Croatia-Slovenia relations, globalization, sexual orientation.. A very big clumsy metaphor about Slovenia being at the cross roads between its past, which is symbolized by everything "virgin" becoming queen of the household, and its future, which is symbolized by listening to music in clubs and being a lesbian and never having kids.
It plays on a rather recent Slovenian legend involving a virgin and a "forest king" assuming the shape of a goat (Zlatorog Beer's imagery is also based on that legend), but unfortunately, the treatment is very incoherent. Weiss seems to think the end justifies the means: she can use all kinds of "dream-like" sequences, and then pick and choose which ones true, and which ones are imaginary. How can the ride in the jeep with the "forest king" be real for all three girls, but the scene outside the tent be real only in Simona's imaginary ? The ending just drags on and on (I can't believe the movie's runtime is only 98 minutes, have I been watching a director's cut without knowing it?), with the three girls having to look at the camera for about 10 seconds while looking afraid and happy at the same time (so obvious).
I never thought I could spot bad acting in a movie whose language I don't understand, but it didn't take long to see that "Simona" is over-acting most of the time, as if she was playing in a silent movie.
It wasn't so bad as I kept thinking the director was just starting and wanted to capture what she thought her generation was all about on film by doing a half-experimental movie, until I realized that the director was actually 37 years old when making the movie and that her work is probably "serious".
It plays on a rather recent Slovenian legend involving a virgin and a "forest king" assuming the shape of a goat (Zlatorog Beer's imagery is also based on that legend), but unfortunately, the treatment is very incoherent. Weiss seems to think the end justifies the means: she can use all kinds of "dream-like" sequences, and then pick and choose which ones true, and which ones are imaginary. How can the ride in the jeep with the "forest king" be real for all three girls, but the scene outside the tent be real only in Simona's imaginary ? The ending just drags on and on (I can't believe the movie's runtime is only 98 minutes, have I been watching a director's cut without knowing it?), with the three girls having to look at the camera for about 10 seconds while looking afraid and happy at the same time (so obvious).
I never thought I could spot bad acting in a movie whose language I don't understand, but it didn't take long to see that "Simona" is over-acting most of the time, as if she was playing in a silent movie.
It wasn't so bad as I kept thinking the director was just starting and wanted to capture what she thought her generation was all about on film by doing a half-experimental movie, until I realized that the director was actually 37 years old when making the movie and that her work is probably "serious".
Yuck, worst movie ever!
GrayRain16 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I can confidently say that this is the worst film I have ever seen, and I usually love foreign films. The movie is nothing more than poorly-made violent pornography. If you choose to see it, prepare yourself for endless sexism, gratuitous nudity shots, and a stupid sensationalized rape scene, which I'm sure is the main appeal for the people who like the movie.
Additionally, the plot meanders aimlessly, and none of the characters is likable. Many scenes are filmed from the woods surrounding the river the girls are on to give a constant feeling that someone is stalking them, which was a pathetic attempt to make up for the lack of story to tell.
Perhaps I wouldn't have wasted my time to see the movie, if it had been accurately described in reviews.
Additionally, the plot meanders aimlessly, and none of the characters is likable. Many scenes are filmed from the woods surrounding the river the girls are on to give a constant feeling that someone is stalking them, which was a pathetic attempt to make up for the lack of story to tell.
Perhaps I wouldn't have wasted my time to see the movie, if it had been accurately described in reviews.
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