The Priest's Children

A million-dollar idea set on a picturesque Croatian coast. Sunny exteriors, a relaxing atmosphere conveyed in a fresh Balkan manner, comical characters, humor of both a plebeian and intelligent nature (great jabs at the Church). A perfect break from super-serious festival dramas, as well as tasteful and at a high filmmaking level. (07/05/2013)

The specifically Balkan sense of humor is palpable in this successful comedy. I wasn't expecting much from the film, so I'm pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I really had a great time with it, despite the tragic storyline at the end. I have to appreciate the plot, which worked wonderfully in conjunction with the church. I would also like to mention that the musical accompaniment was extremely good. (75%) (07/31/2020)

A folk comedy and exactly the type of film Zdeněk Troška will never make. This is a film that has a lot of humor flowing from the screen. I have never seen such imaginatively-processed running-jokes. Yet what surprises me most is that most films like this lose steam in the second third, only to moralize in the final third. Here they keep it going to the very end. A standing ovation for the filmmakers is well deserved. (07/04/2013)

The first half of the movie is great, maybe the best comedy of this year. Unfortunately, in the second half, the comedy turns into a tragicomedy, which is where the movie starts losing steam. Although I expected a little more, it is quite a relaxing comedy/drama set on a small Croatian island. 5 stars for the first half, 3 for the second, so a 4 overall seem fair. “It's either a tycoon or a Mafioso.” – “It's the Bishop.” (11/29/2013)

It is almost a rule for the Balkans that they can turn a serious story into a total farce, which makes you laugh whether you want to or not. Nevertheless, The Priest’s Children do it exactly the opposite way. When it comes to the story, it is a great comedy, which I at times consider unnecessarily tragic. Well, that’s the Balkans. I think I haven’t seen a single movie of theirs that isn’t at least a little bit tragic. Anyway, I still really enjoyed the The Priest’s Children. With the arrival on a small Dalmatian island I remembered every time I travelled to Croatia and I immediately felt great. I don’t know about you, but for me, their islands are like a small visit to heaven, although the locals probably have a different opinion about that. Nevertheless, the locations made me so excited about the film that I had to watch it again the following day. That’s how happy this movie made me. (06/21/2014)