The second part of Schmidt’s trilogy on the pathologies of Croatian society. A thriller on the criminal activity in the national health service. Disagreeable and provocative, the experience is nevertheless cathartic for the Croatian public.
An esteemed specialist, Danko Babic is a successful gynaecologist at Croatia’s leading fertility clinic. Highly ambitious, corrupt, amoral, he forges ties with the underworld of Zagreb. When his colleague Bantic is appointed as head of the clinic and because the pretty intern Lovric is turning down his sexual advances, Babic starts a secret war to overthrow his rival. He lies, forges medical reports, schemes and plots against his colleagues. He would not stop at anything to attain his goals. He thus begins performing illegal abortions for a gangster who controls the local drug and sex trade.
»The film indeed has some agonizing scenes, but it also features subtle humour and it’s easy to watch. Perhaps we were wrong to focus on the shocking and brutal scenes in our preview, perhaps we should have found some balance. Well, we had very little time, and this is actually the first such film in Croatia. The truth is that people avert their eyes when it comes to certain scenes, but most of them told me after the screening: ‘The film is truly revolting, but it’s also excellent.’« (Branko Schmidt)
Branko Schmidt
Born in 1957 in Osijek. He briefly studied economics before redirecting to film and TV-direction at the Academy of Dramatic Art Zagreb. Sokol Did Not Love Him, his debut feature, won the Debutant of the Year Award at the 1988 Pula FF. Since then he has made numerous dramas, documentaries and a children’s TV-series.