Watch Ivana the Terrible

Ivana the Terrible is a semi-autobiographical film directed by and starring Ivana Mladenovic, which premiered in 2019. The film blurs the line between fiction and documentary, creating a unique narrative that is partly based on Mladenovic's own life experiences. It is set in the director's hometown of Kladovo, a border town in Serbia, adding an authentic and personal backdrop to the story.

The movie introduces us to Ivana, played by Ivana Mladenovic herself, a young woman living in Bucharest who is an artist, much like Mladenovic. The character is facing a period of crisis, both personally and professionally. She's grappling with the anxieties of being in her thirties and feeling the pressures of societal expectations, which is exacerbated by her struggling acting career.

During a summer in which Ivana is combating a mysterious illness, she decides to return to her hometown in Serbia. The illness serves as a metaphorical backbone to the story, reflecting her inner turmoil and unhappiness. The trip is both a getaway from her problems in the city and an attempt to reconnect with her roots, her family, and her community. However, the escape she seeks from her life in Bucharest is met with additional challenges as she crosses the border into Serbia.

Upon her return to Kladovo, Ivana is confronted with the complex relationships she has with her family members, including her brother (played by Andrei Dinescu) and her mother, as well as the various townspeople, who play versions of themselves. The film delicately explores these family dynamics, capturing the love, tension, and shared history between relatives.

Her presence in the town soon becomes a local interest, as Ivana stands out against the backdrop of a small community where everyone knows one another. The contrast between city life and small-town atmosphere is vividly illustrated, and Ivana's modern and more liberal perspective clashes with the traditional views held by some of the town's inhabitants, leading to moments of both comedy and conflict.

Central to the narrative is Ivana's relationship with Anca Pop, who is her real-life friend and plays herself in the film. Anca provides both a sounding board and a counterpoint to Ivana’s experiences, highlighting the disparities in their personal outlooks and life choices. Their friendship portrays the complexities of modern women navigating different paths yet seeking validation for their individual choices.

Ivana the Terrible can also be viewed as a comment on national identity and the sense of belonging. The movie frequently traverses themes related to the dualities of nationality, given the proximity of Romania and Serbia, the cultural ties and tensions, and the personal identities shaped by these geopolitical lines. Ivana's cross-border experiences color the narrative and provide a subtext about the current socio-political landscape in Eastern Europe.

Director Ivana Mladenovic takes an unorthodox approach to storytelling in this film, using a mix of professional actors and non-professional local performers, which gives the film an element of realism that is rare in conventional cinema. This strategy adds to the film's documentary feel and successfully captures the authenticity of Ivana’s encounters.

The visual style of Ivana the Terrible is intimate and engaging. Mladenovic generally opts for up-close and personal camera work that invites the audience into Ivana's world. The small, real-life settings complement the story’s personal touch and the authenticity of the narrative. The film relies on natural lighting and an almost vérité approach to underscore the raw and unpolished nature of Ivana’s journey.

Ivana the Terrible is a thought-provoking film that examines the intersections of self-identity, culture, and family through an introspective lens. It articulates the struggles of a young woman who is trying to reconcile her ambitions with her cultural roots and expectations. The organic interplay between reality and fiction, where the line is blurred to the point of being almost indistinguishable, is a refreshing take on the genre.

While the movie does fuse elements of comedy, drama, and documentary, it does so by primarily leaning on the strength of its characters and their relationships, eschewing the need for extravagant plot devices or sensational drama. It's a character study that unpacks the complexities of identity through personal experiences, relationships, and the confluent forces of modern life and traditional expectations.

In conclusion, Ivana the Terrible is a multifaceted piece of cinema that requires viewers to engage with complex themes and nuanced interpersonal dynamics. It’s a deeply personal film that successfully captures the spirit of its setting while simultaneously delivering universal truths about human nature, family, and the perpetual quest for belonging.

Ivana the Terrible is a 2019 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.