The debut feature by US-based Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, an innovative story about the growing up and rebellion of a 16-year-old girl, won last year’s Caméra d’Or at Cannes. Life seems to be idyllic for Julija (Gracija Filipovic, in a mesmerizing performance). She lives with her parents on a Croatian island, and spends her time swimming in the sea and enjoying the local beaches. But Julija and her young mother have to deal with the everyday abuse of a truly despotic father, who doesn’t really respect them. Eventually the arrival of a handsome long-time family friend changes things: Julija starts to rebel against the patriarchy, as represented by her father. She also comes up with a secret plan. Executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, with beautiful cinematography by Héléne Louvart (a frequent collaborator of Claire Denis and Wim Wenders), Murina shows the transformation of the central character from a girl to a woman, following coming-of-age film conventions. And beyond that it reveals how strongly Julija is impacted by sexist gender norms, as the director guides her toward emancipation.