‘Promise, I’ll Be Fine’ Review: Lived-in Authenticity Boosts an Otherwise Familiar Slovakian Coming-Of-Age Tale

by

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the virtual worlds of rural Slovakia, I must say that Katarina Gramatova’s directorial debut, “Promise, I’ll Be Fine,” feels eerily familiar yet refreshingly real. The film transports us to a landscape where the beauty of the countryside is marred by poverty and the monotony of teenage life.

In essence, teenagers can’t help but be who they are, as portrayed in the movie “Promise, I’ll Be Fine” (Hore je nebo, v doline som ja), making its world debut at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The story centers on Eno (Michael Zachensky), a 15-year-old from rural Slovakia who discovers some harsh realities about his mother who is often away. This poignant coming-of-age tale signifies an impressive first feature film for its director, Katarina Gramatova.

In this show, titled “Inspired by Life in Slovakia’s ‘Hungry Valleys’,” I find myself immersed in a breathtaking yet economically struggling landscape. Here, my character Eno and his three companions partake in the typical pastimes of youth, often seeking distractions from our challenging circumstances that any teenager can relate to.

They spend time lounging and consuming pizza, while exchanging witty remarks about the locals, even mocking the town’s frequent inebriate. They peruse 3D images of nude females on a vintage View-Master-like gadget. They continuously traverse the town on their mopeds, sometimes embarking on journeys as exciting as reaching a highway McDonald’s. The prospect of an upcoming bicycle race, offering a cash prize, hints at adding some thrill to their otherwise monotonous lives.

Eno resides with his grandmother (Jana Olhova), who seldom tolerates disagreement and never misses a chance to emphasize her sacrifices. His mother (Eva Mores) often disappears for extended periods due to an undisclosed job in a wealthier area. Despite yearning for a nurturing bond with her, she regularly offers reasons why she can’t visit more frequently, promising him, “I assure you, I’ll return before the holidays are over.

In my teenage years, Eno’s delicate perceptions of reality crumble when his peers mock him, a common occurrence among us young ones. They claim that his mother isn’t the virtuous woman he believes her to be, but rather someone involved in underhanded activities, taking advantage of the elderly. With no other choice but to seek her aid after wrecking my moped and damaging its engine, I confronted her about the truth behind her actions when she eventually dropped by. This confrontation, where both our vulnerabilities and deceits were exposed, culminated in a profoundly moving climax.

In this film, director-screenwriter Gramatova draws inspiration from an original concept co-created by producer Igor Engler, which was based on her work on the documentary “A Good Mind Grows in Thorny Places” set in the mountain village of Utechka. Some of the documentary’s young stars make their acting debut here, and their realistic performances are truly remarkable, particularly Zachensky, whose enigmatic personality and James Dean-like good looks capture the attention of the camera. Seasoned actress Mores delivers a standout performance as Eno’s mother, conveying a rich tapestry of emotions in her limited screen time and demonstrating the captivating allure that makes her character’s fascination with her son plausible, as well as her skill in deception.

With a genuine, lived-in authenticity that gives its tale an unquestionable sense of urgency, “Promise, I’ll Be Fine” is likely to achieve significant acclaim on the film festival circuit and in art house cinemas around the world.

Read More

2024-10-30 12:54