Sonja Tarokic on Exploring the Tensions Swirling Through a School in Karlovy Vary Competition Film ‘The Staffroom’
Alissa Simon Film CriticCompeting for the Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary Film Festival, director-writer Sonja Tarokić’s impressive debut drama “The Staffroom” tackles the psychology of the workplace as experienced by idealistic, new primary school counselor Anamarija (Marina Redžepović). Naturalistically filmed and set within a concrete, culturally loaded environment, it’s a coming-of-age story about a young woman who learns to accept that she is neither stronger nor nobler than the people around her.As Anamarija attempts to fit in and just do her job with the children, she tries to stay out of the power games played by the headmistress, teachers and parents, but it’s not easy.