MARTINA SAKOVA
Martina Saková studied film direction at Film Academy VSMU in Bratislava in Slovakia and as a guest student at the Film Academy HFF in Potsdam. In 2005 she directed her first short documentary MALI BOJOVNICI / LITTLE WARRIORS and in 2007 she established own production company Projector23 in Berlin. In 2012 she directed the animated short HEAVY METAL, presented at Cinekid Junior Amsterdam Netherlands and in competition at Anifilm (Czech Republic), Film Festival Pentedatillo (Italy), Film Festival Anca (Slovakia) and International Animation Film Festival Golden Kuker (Bulgaria). In 2013 and 2014 she directed two other documentaries: MALÁ HANOJ/LITTLE HANOI (78’) and SUSEDIA/NEIGHBOURS (2014, documentary, 30min). SUMMER REBELS is her feature debut.
Director’s statement
“SUMMER REBELS tells a story about longing, friendship and a couple of unexpected troubles. Inspired by fragments of our childhood memories I wanted to portrait smart kids and a witty maverick grandpa on a rollercoaster ride through the summer, putting their friendship to the test.
Jonas and Bernard’s personal story is underlined by the current socio-economic issues in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. Dwindling job opportunities, young people seeking employment abroad, all of this has a profound effect on many families. The social consequences are most severely felt by older people, like grandpa Bernard, who tries to keep up the appearance of bourgeois normality. If there is one thing he does not want, it is to change. We draw a lot of comic potential from this tension.
On the other hand, I see a new generation growing up all over Europe that refuses to adapt its needs to the current situation. Like Jonas, this generation is determined to shape reality according to their own designs and to challenge the existing rules with their actions.
In a patchwork family scattered across Europe, Jonas searches for his identity and in doing so not only throws his grandfather, but the whole environment into turmoil.
Although the film does not shy away from serious topics, the combination of humorous narration, with authentic acting and much intimacy; charming, sun-imbued photography, and unique, hip and catchy songs makes it a real children's and youth film.”
