A Young Woman’s Unflinching Coming-of-Age Story: Vidra (2025), with the international title Otter, is a coming-of-age drama directed by Bosnian filmmaker Srdan Vuletic. The film is about sixteen-year-old Hana, a reserved teenager who is thrust into an emotional maelstrom when she faces two major traumas on the same day: the death of her father and a painful betrayal by her first love. The film, which had its world premiere at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, explores Hana’s journey as she navigates overwhelming grief and the harsh realities of a world that is less gentle than she had hoped. It is a deeply personal story that, according to the director, deals with self-acceptance and the process of reinventing oneself.
Why to watch this movie & A Glimpse into the Soul of a Generation:
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A Powerful and Authentic Story: Based on a short story, the film delves into the raw emotions of a teenager facing immense loss and disillusionment. The narrative is noted for its ability to portray the “in-between” moments of grief and the complex internal world of its protagonist.
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Exceptional Direction and Performances: Director Srdan Vuletic, known for his award-winning films, returns after a 17-year gap with a film praised for its cinematic language and its sensitive handling of a difficult subject. The film’s lead, newcomer Maša Drašler, has been lauded for her exceptional performance.
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Critically Acclaimed at Development: Even before its release, the film received significant recognition, including the Eurimages Co-production Development Award at CineLink, which speaks to the strength of its script and vision.
What is the Trend followed? & The Rise of Authentic and Raw Coming-of-Age Narratives: Vidra follows the trend of moving beyond sanitized or romanticized coming-of-age stories to focus on the raw, difficult, and often-uncomfortable realities of adolescence.
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Focus on Trauma and Resilience: Instead of simple rites of passage, these films explore how young people navigate complex emotional landscapes, including trauma, loss, and betrayal, and how they find strength and resilience.
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Grounded in Social Realities: The film is noted for its connection to contemporary social issues, such as sexism and patriarchal ideals, reflecting a trend of using personal stories to comment on broader societal concerns.
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Emphasis on Internal Conflict: The narrative is driven by the protagonist’s internal struggles rather than external events, inviting the audience to intimately share in her emotional journey.
Director’s Vision & The Power of Self-Acceptance: Srdan Vuletic’s vision for Vidra was to create a film that is both a tender coming-of-age story and a larger commentary on the challenges faced by the younger generation.
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Encouraging Self-Empowerment: The director has stated that he wants the film to encourage young people to “accept that the only superpower you have is yourself” and to “not run away from their problems.”
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Working with Non-Actors: Vuletic’s decision to cast high school students in the main roles was a deliberate choice to bring an extra layer of authenticity to the film. He has been praised for his ability to work with these young, non-professional actors and for fostering a high level of trust on set.
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A Personal and Universal Story: Vuletic was drawn to the project’s ability to maximize the pressure on the protagonist by confronting her with two major traumas, one personal and one external, creating a situation that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Themes & Navigating Grief, Betrayal, and Patriarchal Expectations:
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Grief and Loss: The film’s central theme is the unexpected death of Hana’s father and her struggle to process her grief while also dealing with the external pressures of her family.
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Betrayal and Disillusionment: The betrayal by her first love shatters Hana’s innocent worldview, forcing her to confront the painful realities of human relationships.
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Reclaiming Agency: A major theme is Hana’s struggle to find her voice and reject being “reduced to a sexual object,” a reflection on the challenges faced by young women in a society grappling with patriarchal ideals.
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Self-Acceptance and Reinvention: The film is ultimately about Hana’s journey to accept herself and to reinvent her identity in the wake of her traumas.
Key success factors & Festival Acclaim and Raw Talent:
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Early Acclaim and Funding: The film’s success began long before its theatrical release, with development awards from prestigious industry events like CineLink and L’Atelier Cinefondation, which helped secure funding and build anticipation.
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Strong Direction: Srdan Vuletic’s reputation and his decision to use a distinct cinematic language for this project are key to its success.
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Casting and Performance: The choice to cast non-professional actors, particularly the lead Maša Drašler, has resulted in a raw and authentic performance that is a cornerstone of the film’s emotional impact.
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Relatable and Timely Subject Matter: The film tackles themes that are universally relatable while also addressing contemporary social issues, making it relevant to a wide audience.
Awards & Nominations & Recognition from Development to Premiere: The project received significant accolades during its development, most notably the €20,000 Eurimages Co-production Development Award at CineLink in 2020. The film was also selected for the prestigious L’Atelier Cinéfondation in 2021. Following its premiere, it was nominated for the Heart of Sarajevo award in the Competition Programme at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival.
Critics Reception & A “Must-See” Festival Favorite:
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Cineuropa: This review attempts to step into the shoes of a teenage girl, praising the film for its narrative focus and stating that it “traces a tender coming-of-age process in the shadow of loss.”
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Sarajevo Film Festival: The festival’s own news outlet highlights the director’s ability to work with young actors and his success in creating a film that is both “understandable, exciting, and universal.”
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Overall Summary: Critics have praised Vidra for its authentic and unflinching portrayal of adolescent trauma. The film is consistently described as a powerful and emotionally resonant work that confirms Vuletic’s return to filmmaking after a long hiatus. The consensus is that the film is a significant entry in the new wave of regional cinema.
Reviews & Emotionally Resonant and Beautifully Crafted:
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Yahoo News UK: This review describes the film as trailing a teenager who faces “a flood of unprocessed grief” and “great pain at the hands of young boys raised under sexist ideals.” It highlights the director’s praise for the lead actress and his success in building trust with the young cast.
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Cineuropa: The review from this site notes that the film “attempts to step into the shoes of a teenage girl at a crucial moment in her life” and that the director’s cinematic choices help to “lift the film to another level.”
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Overall Summary: Reviews highlight the film’s emotional depth, its sensitive handling of difficult themes, and its success as a cross-regional co-production. Audiences and critics alike have responded positively to the film’s raw emotion and its powerful message of self-acceptance.
Release date on streaming & To Be Announced: A streaming release date has not yet been announced.
Theatrical Release & A Regional Festival Hit: Vidra had its world premiere at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival on August 16, 2025, where it competed in the main feature film program. The film will also be screened at the 38th Film Festival Herceg Novi – Montenegro Film Festival.
What Movie Trend film is following & The New Wave of Balkan Cinema: The film is following the trend of a new wave of Balkan cinema that is moving beyond war and post-war narratives to focus on contemporary and personal stories. These films often explore the emotional lives of young people, grappling with universal issues of identity, loss, and love within a specific regional context.
What Big Social Trend is following & Challenging Patriarchal Norms: Vidra is part of a growing social trend in art and media that directly challenges patriarchal norms and expectations. The film’s narrative, centered on a young woman’s struggle to assert her autonomy and demand respect, reflects a broader cultural conversation about gender roles, sexism, and the empowerment of women. By portraying the emotional toll of these societal pressures, the film encourages a critical examination of traditional values.
Final Verdict & A Moving and Timely Film: Vidra is a poignant and powerful coming-of-age drama that marks a triumphant return for director Srdan Vuletic. With a breakout performance from Maša Drašler and a sensitive, immersive direction, the film navigates the difficult terrain of grief and betrayal with grace and honesty. It is a deeply personal story that is also a timely commentary on the challenges faced by the younger generation. For fans of authentic, character-driven cinema and those interested in the evolving landscape of Balkan filmmaking, Vidra is a must-watch.
