City as a film set: My future film in Split

One day when I get a chance to make a film in Split, the opening scenes will be made by the sea.

Sea is always a powerful scenery, capable of waking up the variety of feelings.

Narrow, even claustrophobic streets make a great contrast to the open sea. They must be the perfect background for tense moments in the film.

Those tiny streets would take my characters to the amazing city squares, where modern cafes and live touristic spirit merge with old buildings and the spirit of history.

Of course, I would include some “secret” passages, the invisible bloodstream of the city, all those perfect spots for my characters to hide their secrets.

And, of course, I would find a way to appreciate the important historical locations on screen.

That shouldn’t be difficult, as the entire downtown of Split is a big historical monument. During my entire staying, I had a feeling I’m constantly walking through a giant fortress with millions of hallways and labyrinths.

And between those walls of history, I would try to find more places like this little oasis for hiding from the crowd, having a break, resolving some plot points.

When it comes to extras, I wouldn’t dare to forget the cats of Split. I couldn’t even if I wanted to – they would come to my set anyway.

When my characters decide to say good bye, I will send them to the train station.

Well, bus station seems like a good choice, too.

If I would have to have a product placement in my film, I would definitely pick Barba – new and amazingly tasty beer made in Split.

I agree that certain cities, including Split, do have prominent cinematic qualities and make a better film scenery than some other cities, however…

… people, their stories and destinies still make the best film material.

I’ve spent my last day in Split meeting locals – a couple of them have told me their interesting life stories that would make a great film material.

As I was sitting at the beach, a local teenage boy kept my company. I was astonished as he managed to tell me a lot of things about his life so openly. I was thinking of his stories as a great film material as I was leaving Split, regretting the fact that I didn’t ask him for contact. It would probably be an interesting documentary.

Even if not all the people of Split are that open, I bet there are a lot of potentially interesting plots already written between those old walls, immersed in that wonderful sea, already happening in those narrow streets or hiding in all those sprightly people.

I would like to thank Boris Poljak, amazing cinematographer and our kind tour guide, for introducing us to all the important places in Split, as well as some of its hidden corners.

As for my future film’s ending, it will definitely take place by the sea. Good bye, wonderful Split, until we meet again!