Region: Slovenia
Andrej, a criminal investigator, is shocked to discover that his estranged brother Kristian is a domestic abuser. Grappling with guilt and a desperate desire to mend their broken bond, Andrej steps in to help. But as unsettling parallels between Kristian’s behavior and that of their abusive father begin to emerge, Andrej’s personal and professional lives collide in a spiral that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
Traumas from the past resurface with even greater intensity and poignancy when life confronts us with unexpected situations. The protagonist of ‘The Lost Son’ knows this well. And through a highly gripping staging, we find ourselves faced with a complex family story spanning several generations.
Festivals and Awards
- 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival 2026 (World Premiere)
- 29th Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož 2026 (Competition) – Best Director
STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR DARKO ŠTANTE:
“In this film, I explore the relationships of people who grew up in families marked by violence, examining whether the cycle of intergenerational violence can be broken. The film offers no simple answers. Instead, it opens up space for reflection and dialogue based on emotional experiences.”
DIRECTOR’S BIO:
Darko Štante (1975), an acclaimed director and scriptwriter from Slovenia, holds a master’s degree in Film Direction from the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana. He made his debut with “Consequences” (2018), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and went on to win multiple awards and secure distribution deals worldwide.
