Devicanska svirka (1973)

A young man Ivan travels in a carriage, and stops to rest in a remote castle somewhere in the lowlands. The castle is considered by locals to be haunted. The coachman doesn't want to carry ... See full summary »

Director:

Djordje Kadijevic

Writers:

Djordje Kadijevic (adaptation), Ivan Raos (novel)

Stars:

Olivera Katarina, Goran Sultanovic, Ivan Jagodic

Cast

Credited cast:
Olivera Katarina	...	Sibila
Goran Sultanovic	...	Ivan
Ivan Jagodic	...	Bartolomeo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Osman Halilkovic
Toma Kuruzovic	...	Kocijas

Storyline

A young man Ivan travels in a carriage, and stops to rest in a remote castle somewhere in the lowlands. The castle is considered by locals to be haunted. The coachman doesn't want to carry on, so Ivan continues his journey by foot. A young kid who passes by tells Ivan about the castle, but the next minute the carriage kills him. Sibylle, a beautiful but strange woman comes out of the carriage and helps Ivan to carry the dead kid into the castle, which turns out to be her home. After her husband's death, Sybille lives there only with her coachman Bartholomew. Upon his arrival, Ivan starts to hear strange music coming from unknown place. Ivan and Sibylle fall in love with each other, but the mystery of music is yet to be find out.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Details

Country:

Yugoslavia

Language:

Serbo-Croatian

Release Date:

1973 (Yugoslavia)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Radiotelevizija Beograd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

B&W Gowns and More

One of the best Yugoslav (Serbian) genre directors (Sveto Mesto, Leptirica) Djordje Kadijevic has always explored the folklore, that's one of his trademarks, so naturally I expected this film to follow the route.... What we get from it, apart from lovely Olivera Katarina (Mark of the Devil) is one moody, very Gothic picture. Young man travels across the country side, but gets a cold shower after having been informed by one of the villagers not to go near the road leading to lonely castle. And no carriage will go there.

But Ivan (the traveler) shrugs it off as superstition and decides to proceed his journey, on foot. To cut a long story short, of course he gets himself into the mysterious castle, being enchanted by its beautiful landlady. From this point on film takes a different route, in the vein of sophisticated and stylish silent films, leaning on shadows, contrasts and atmosphere rather than ominous and threatening words of castle mistress. Her weird lines don't appear to make much sense, their goal is to raise the tension and bring in the poetry: stress the lonely, sad atmosphere some more. Perhaps also point out the mental state of Sibila, the castle owner.

Throughout the film we hear the Virgin Sound, from the title, a strange piano music that lure unsuspecting travelers just like mermaids' song in Greek myth did. We are perfectly aware from the start there's something sinister going on, but what? And what is the source of the Virgin Sound? The finale is very good and creepy. We do learn about Sibila's secrets, and so does Ivan. Very enjoyable, if you can sit back, relax and let the Virgin Sound have its mesmerizing effect on you. 8/10