The Netherlands

Synopsis

DUSKA is the imaginative story of Bob, who has the best part of his life behind him. He is addicted to film, has visited several festivals as a film critic and is now working on his own screenplay. His muse and inspiration is the attractive, young and unattainable cashier from the movie theatre across the street. But when Bob's desire for the girl finally becomes reality and she ends up at his house, a man named Duska suddenly appears at his door. The timing couldn't be worse. Bob had met this friendly loser once at a Russian film festival, and in a reckless mood had invited him to come and visit if he was in the neighbourhood. That was the worst thing he could have done; Duska is not about to leave Bob alone, resulting in an original tragicomedy full of surprising twists.

Director's Statement

DUSKA, based on a true story, refers to universal themes such as love, life, loneliness and friendship. Where life runs short, fantasy takes over.
On the one hand a parable about a stranger, on the other hand a cheerful and ironic poem in praise of the minimal. A story with strong metaphysical elements as such, can only be told by the medium of film. The camera interprets the actors, there where words run out.
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Jos Stelling

Written by: Jos Stelling, Hans Heessen

Produced by: Hans de Weers, Hans de Wolf, Reinout Oerlemans

Cinematography: Goert Giltay N.S.C.

Cast: Gene Bervoets (Bob), Sylvia Hoeks (the girl), Sergei Makovetsky (Duska)

Nominations and Awards

  • Feature Film Selection 2008