‘Uptight Ass,’ a Surreal Serbian Drama and Follow-Up to ‘Have You Seen This Woman?’ at Venice Critics’ Week, Adds France’s Tripode

Following the world premiere of César Díaz’s Cannes Camera d’Or-winning film “Mexico 86” at Locarno’s Piazza Grande, France’s Tripode Productions has teamed up with writer-director Matija Gluščević and co-writer Dušan Zorić for their upcoming project, “Uptight Ass.” Gluščević and Zorić previously collaborated on “Have You Seen This Woman?,” which was showcased at Venice Critics’ Week in 2022.

The film, set to be featured at the Sarajevo Film Festival’s CineLink Co-Production Market, delves into the life of a self-absorbed middle-aged teacher who, when confronted with his father’s illness, embarks on a transformative journey to rediscover lost love and vulnerability.

“Uptight Ass” is produced by Čarna Vučinić for Naked, a Belgrade-based production company she co-founded with Gluščević and Zorić, in collaboration with Tripode’s Guillaume Dreyfus and Tena Gojić of Dinaridi Film from Croatia.

In his director’s note, Gluščević reflects on the film as a deeply personal exploration of family dynamics and masculinity. He describes his own anxiety and emotional withdrawal while grappling with familial expectations, especially in relation to his father’s illness.

“Uptight Ass” continues his examination of gender roles within Serbian society and beyond, following his previous work “Have You Seen This Woman?” which offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by middle-aged women in a patriarchal context.

Guillaume Dreyfus of Tripode Productions praises Gluščević as a distinctive Serbian filmmaker whose work extends beyond regional boundaries. Dreyfus anticipates “Uptight Ass” will be both politically and emotionally impactful. Tena Gojić, representing Croatian co-producer Dinaridi, echoes this sentiment, highlighting Gluščević’s innovative approach and the film’s potential to influence regional and global cinema.

Gluščević has promised a visually eclectic and narratively bold film, featuring unusual camera techniques and a heightened sense of surrealism. Vučinić describes the film as a drama-thriller blending elements of surrealism, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Together with Zorić, Vučinić and Gluščević aim to push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking, showcasing their unique vision and creative approach to storytelling.