Serbian director Miroslav Terzić, known for his critically acclaimed drama Stitches, will premiere his latest feature, 3 Weeks After, at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The film, which explores the aftermath of a student’s suicide during a class trip, joins the festival’s Crystal Globe Competition on July 7, 2025.
Production and Creative Team
3 Weeks After marks a return to intense, character-driven storytelling for Terzić. The screenplay was a collaborative effort between the director, Vladimir Arsenijević, and Bojan Vuletić. The production features cinematography by Damjan Radovanović and editing by Marko Ferković. The project is represented internationally by Bendita Film Sales.
The ensemble cast features several prominent young actors from the region:
- Jovan Ginić, recognized for his performance in Lost Country.
- Klara Hrvanović
- Andjela Alavirević
- Tihana Lazović Trifunović
- Branislav Trifunović
Plot and Thematic Focus
The narrative centers on a group of Serbian high-school students and their teachers traveling to Bulgaria for a field trip. The journey takes a dark turn when the group is forced to confront the recent suicide of a classmate. According to festival documentation, the story is grounded in multiple real-life accounts, focusing on the collective trauma and the search for accountability among the surviving peers.
The film examines the friction between the students as they navigate grief, social dynamics, and the uncomfortable questions surrounding the tragedy. The tension is underscored by a script that highlights things left unsaid, creating a sense of unease that permeates the trip.
Festival Presence
The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival serves as the global launchpad for the film. Inclusion in the Crystal Globe Competition positions 3 Weeks After as a significant title in the festival’s main selection.
Key Takeaways
- Director: Miroslav Terzić, who previously directed Stitches.
- Premiere Date: July 7, 2025, at KVIFF.
- Cast: The film stars Jovan Ginić, leading an ensemble cast that includes Tihana Lazović Trifunović and Branislav Trifunović.
- Story Basis: The screenplay draws inspiration from several true stories regarding adolescent suicide and group dynamics.
For audiences, the film serves as a somber reflection on how communities—specifically groups of adolescents—process loss in the immediate weeks following a tragedy. The trailer, premiered via The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizes the psychological weight placed on the students as they attempt to reconcile their vacation with the recent death of their peer.