Gangster of Love

The main character of this Croatian documentary comedy is former carpenter Nedo Babić, nicknamed Gangster for the sunglasses he always wears. For 25 years he has worked as the boss and sole employee of Hope dating agency, and in that time he has matched nearly 300 more-or-less satisfied couples. In recent years, however, middle-aged, simplistic village men have come to dominate those looking for “the one.” So when he is approached by a young and attractive Bulgarian woman named Maya he believes it will be a snap to find her the ideal groom. But Maya is a foreigner and has a baby to boot.… Experienced Croatian director Nebojša Slijepčević’s tragicomedy investigates the mentality of the inhabitants of the town of Imotski, situated on the border with Bosnia, through humorous situations and the disarming spontaneity of the main characters. At the same time, the film exposes the deeply rooted stereotypes and conservatism of the local men, as well as their ridiculous prejudices. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)