Is there anything worse than a massive summer invasion of tourists on a small Dalmatian island? If you immediately said “no,” think again, because the local comedy “Šalša” presents a far worse scenario – a zombie invasion on the (fictional) Dalmatian island of Mala Glava. This fun film, featuring Momčilo Otašević as an eternal student of Hungarian studies, along with Slavko Sobin and Damir Markovina as zombie policemen, is now available in Croatian cinemas and multiplexes.
Ever since Victor Halperin made “White Zombie” in 1932, the first zombie film starring the legendary Bela Lugosi, the “living dead” have been an endless source of inspiration for filmmakers worldwide. From bloody horror to parodies, action films, thrillers, and even, unsurprisingly, a few zombie porn films, zombies have appeared in every genre. Croatian cinema received its first zombie comedy in 2019 with “The Last Serb in Croatia” by Predrag Ličina.
A Film That Can’t Be Refused
The comedy with elements of zombie horror, “Šalša,” produced by Maxima Film, continues the fine tradition of mixing humor and horror while injecting a bit of Dalmatian spirit. It’s this blend of lethargy and bloodshed that leads to some of the most comedic moments, such as the appearance of a zombie bunny – at first glance, a very cute animal that would bite your hand off if you gave it a finger.
Directed by Dražen Žarković, “Šalša” had its world premiere at the 71st Pula Film Festival, winning the Golden Arena for visual effects. The packed Arena reacted brilliantly to the fun story of Vatroslav, who arrives on the island to harvest tomatoes, unaware that he will soon have to run from zombies and fight for the love of a beautiful dentist, Irena (Ivana Gulin).
“When they called me and offered me a role in an island comedy, I was very pleased. Then they started mentioning zombies and explosions, and I was a bit surprised. But when they told me my character’s name was Vatroslav and he was still a student, I knew this was an offer I couldn’t refuse. It was simply a role I had never had before,” said lead actor Momčilo Otašević.
The star of the series “Kumovi” and, from this fall, the series “In Good Times and Bad,” had to get into good shape for the role. In “Šalša,” filmed on the island of Šolta, he appears in almost every scene, often running from zombies in front of the camera. All this paid off when he returned to Šolta this summer for a special screening of “Šalša” and saw the audience enjoying the film, laughing at Vatroslav’s mishaps and stifling screams during the zombies’ bloody rampage.
Among Brave and Bold Films from Around the World
“The film truly offers something for everyone. Primarily, it’s a comedy, but there’s also romance, social commentary, and, of course, with zombies, the essential horror,” said Otašević.
Alongside him, the film stars Ivana Gulin, Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov, Milica Janevski, Ljubiša Savanović, Slavko Sobin, Damir Markovina, Ecija Ojdanić, and Donat Zeko.
The summer screenings in Pula, Split, Hvar, and Šolta have already shown that audiences love “Šalša.” The film is also gaining recognition abroad. In October, it will be featured in the official program of the 40th Warsaw International Film Festival, one of Europe’s most significant festivals, in a section dedicated to bold and daring films from around the world.
“We are delighted to export original Dalmatian zombies to the world. ‘Šalša‘ is a film we hope both domestic and international audiences will enjoy. And the real taste of blood and comedy can only be experienced in the cinema,” said director Dražen Žarković, inviting viewers to come and see “Šalša” on the big screen.