The story in a Macedonian town discusses the point of view of religion, traditions and men towards women through a woman. The events take place at the age of 32-year-old Petrunya, but under his influence he does not forget to send a message to troubled perspectives all over the world. Actually, it’s funny and ironic. But it becomes a problem of existence both by Petrunia and by the system that judges it.
Petrunya is a woman who cannot feel the support of her mother and the town she lives in and expects a sign, though not divine in life. During a cross, he leaves the men behind and leaves the cross out of the river and causes the collapsing, questioning and prosecution of the system that has been working so far.
According to the rules, a woman can never make a cross. But when the rules, according to whom and how it is enigmatic! The police detain them for criminal treatment, but they are not officially guilty, they have not violated a written law, they just stick their own way to the ongoing process! And he doesn’t hesitate to get the audience into it!
His name, Petrunya, shows that it is upright stance, solidarity and determination that will unlock the ossified systems. Because what is being questioned and judged is how a woman comes before a man! In fact, Petrunya’s concern is not to start a struggle, that is not the one who crosses his mind. He is immersed in the waters of his own world and tries to provide a purpose and flow to his life, but the cross he takes in his hand restores him into the walls he tries to climb.
The second half of the film is therefore almost in one place, under the control of the system that imprisoned Petrunya! The phenomenon of religion has pushed the woman out of life and includes intense judgments and punishments about what she wants to do. This is not only in Macedonia, but in many parts of the world.
The majority of the fatwa women should stand behind the man, not to laugh too much, not to come forward, to close itself and a decent way to exist in society! The reporter in the film, which has been the year 2018, still says that these dark practices, decisions continue. It may seem exaggerated, but I think so .. The world seems to want to enter into a religious transformation again and women see the biggest harm again! However, the sense of equality and togetherness should not be so abrasive!
Teona Strugar Mitevska sets out from a newspaper report in his second film, His Name, Petrunya, which he shot almost 12 years later, and calculates that jumping and crossing the water will create a good domino effect in terms of the position of the woman, the point of view of the state, the question of religion, and the struggle of the individual.
Indeed, it is, at the same time, a young woman who is also trying to break the boundaries of the world where Petrunya’s mother imprisoned her. The mother is also doing what is applied to her in time for her daughter, maybe consciously, maybe unconsciously, and that is the result! A woman who takes everyone in front of her! A woman who, after being asked in an interview, turns into a wolf after she goes through what she’s been through!
God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunija
Directed by: Teona Strugar Mitevska
Starring: Zorica Nusheva, Labina Mitevska, Stefan Vujisic, Suad Begovski, Simeon Moni Damevski, Violeta Sapkovska, Petar Mircevski, Andrijana Kolevska, Nikola Kumev, Bajrush Mjaku
Screenplay by: Teona Strugar Mitevska, Elma Tataragic
Production Design by: Vuk Mitevski
Cinematography by: Virginie Saint-Martin
Film Editing by: Marie-Hélène Dozo
Costume Design by: Monika Lorber
Art Direction by: Zeljka Buric
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Pandora Filmes
Release Date: May 1, 2019
Visits: 388
