Freedom

by Metod Pevec

Svoboda, documentary
In progress

The film director and a psychiatrist go together to the Dob prison, Slovenia’s largest prison institution. The film director believes that many stories remain hidden behind the prison walls, and the psychiatrist believes that his method of psychodrama can help the convicts.

screenwriter
Metod Pevec
co-writer
Vladimir Milošević
director
Metod Pevec
producer
Danijel Hočevar, Zala Opara
director of photography
Metod Pevec
film editor
Olga Michalik

featuring
Valon Hoxaj, Primož Kosi, Nenad Mirović, Matej Groznik, Andrej Bagari, Sandrijel Brezar, Denis Mihalič, Viktor Ermin Hilić

production
Vertigo Ljubljana
co-production
RTV Slovenija
in collaboration with
Film Studio Viba Film
co-funding
Slovenian Film Centre

Vertigo
Danijel Hočevar
info@vertigo.si
Zala Opara
zala@vertigo.si

Born in 1958 in Ljubljana, Metod Pevec is seasoned film director and screenwriter as well as novelist and actor. He has previously directed intimate feature and documentary films like ALEXANDRIAS (2011), DOM (2015), POD NJENIM OKNOM (2003) and I AM FRENK (2019). He is a recipient of Golden Arena award at the Pula Film Festival 2020 for the best directing of I Am Frenk, several awards for his documentary films including Vesna award for the best documentary Dom at the Festival of Slovenian Film 2015, in 2013 he received Prešeren Award from the Republic of Slovenia for his directing endeavours, and many others. FREEDOM offers a unique exploration of the hidden angles of inmates’ lives. Filmed in Slovenia’s largest correctional facility, Dob prison, the film seeks to understand whether a criminal’s mind is open to transformative change.

Vertigo Ljubljana is a Slovenian production company with a distinctive track record and extensive experience with international co-productions. Vertigo’s carefully balanced slate consists of various formats, from high-end art-house features, socially engaging documentaries, selected shorts, and TV series, including award-winning titles such as Pero by Damjan Kozole (SI, feature doc, 2023; Official Selection of IFF Rotterdam), The Happiest Man in the World by Teona Mitevska (MK/BE/SI/DK/HR/BA, 2022; Venice FF - Orizzonti, Toronto IFF, Grand Jury Prize at the Les Arcs EFF 2022), Wake Me by Marko Šantić (SI/HR/RS, 2022; Black Nights FF - Critic’s Pick Competition), Disappearance by Andrina Mračnikar (AT/SI, 2022; Audience Award at the Diagonale Graz), Small Body by Laura Samani (IT/SI/FR, 2021; Cannes FF Critic’s Week 2021; European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI at the European Film Awards 2022), Reconciliation by Marija Zidar (SI/RS/ME/XK, feature doc, 2021; CPH:DOX, IDFA, Sarajevo FF, Grand Prix at DokuFest Prizren), Otac – Father by Srdan Golubović (RS/FR/DE/SI/HR/BA, 2020; Ecumenical Prize and Audience Award at the Berlinale - Panorama), An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker by Danis Tanović (BA/SI/FR, 2013, Silver Bear - Grand Jury Prize at Berlinale 2013, shortlisted for the Oscar for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards 2014), Alexandrians by Metod Pevec (SI/IT, feature doc, 2011; Best Documentary at Trieste FF), Bread and Milk by Jan Cvitković (SI, 2001; Lion of the Future at Venice FF 2001), and Half-Sister (SI/MK/RS, 2019; Karlovy Vary IFF - Main Competition), Nightlife (SI/MK/BA, 2016; Best Director Award at Karlovy Vary IFF), Slovenian Girl (SI/DE/HR/RS, 2009; Toronto IFF, Sarajevo FF, Busan IFF, released in more than 30 countries, incl. France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan and USA), and Spare Parts (SI, 2003, Berlinale Competition) all by Damjan Kozole.