Leben am Meer

by Žiga Krajnc

Leben am Meer, animated, 3D animation, digital DCP, 1,37:1 Academy, 25, 15 min
In progress

The Pfaf Kovač family embarks on a vacation to a Croatian island, driving their car and trailer off the ferry and into the campsite's reception. After checking in, they enter the Mali Vrh campsite, which is located in a high-tech bunker offering a disaster simulation experience for its visitors. During the introductory session, the family and other newcomers learn about the advanced technologies that ensure the highest level of security and self-sufficiency in the bunker. This cutting-edge project not only provides safety but also raises questions about social justice, sustainability, and purpose. Balancing between a typical, relaxed holiday and their curiosity about the unique situation, the family navigates their stay among mostly older, wealthier guests with questionable moral values. Through their interactions and observations, they gain insight into a privileged world that is starkly different from their own. "Leben am Meer" highlights that true safety and peace come not from walls and technology, but from human connection and facing challenges together. With a mix of warmth and humor, the film shows how an ordinary family vacation can reflect global issues and inspire us to think about our impact on the world around us.

screenwriter
Žiga Krajnc
director
Žiga Krajnc
producer
Peter Perunović
lead animator
Martin Fir

production
Gliser
co-production
Aerodrom.io
in collaboration with
Film Studio Viba Film
co-funding
Slovenian Film Centre

GLISER
Peter H Perunović
peter@gliser.tv

Žiga Krajnc graduated in 2016 from the Academy for Theatre, Radio, and Television in Ljubljana, with a degree in cinematography. During and after his studies, he mainly focused on directing and producing music videos. In his free time, he rediscovered drawing and comic art, which were dear to him in his childhood. A natural development occurred when he finished his first animated film 'Musical' in 2020, which received several awards. Now, as an interdisciplinary artist, he is engaged in directing, animation, and illustration. In his seemingly simple stories, he seeks answers to bigger questions and tries to visually package them in a childlike way.

“In times of local natural disasters and grim forecasts for the future, people's thoughts often escape to potential apocalyptic scenarios. The wealthiest can afford a bunker, a haven, but what about us, the remaining 9% of the wealthiest population? Perhaps we could drag our motorhomes, trailers, and tents into the already-built bunkers? With the film 'Leben am Meer,' I aim to create a narrative that transcends traditional storytelling and combines the simplicity of family holidays with the complexity of human existence in a friendly and human way. My goal is to take people on an intriguing vacation and show them that, even amid the great uncertainties of life, joy and beauty can be found in small, delightful, and humorous moments.”

GLISER is an interdisciplinary production house exploring new frontiers in narrative film and animation.