Watch Quit Staring at My Plate

Quit Staring at My Plate is a 2016 Croatian drama film directed by Hana Jusic. The movie is an intimate and impressionistic character study of a young woman named Marijana who struggles to find her place in a dysfunctional family. Marijana, played by Mia Petricevic, comes across as shy, passive, and deeply dissatisfied with the way things are in her life.

Marijana, who lives in a cramped apartment with her overbearing parents, is tasked with taking care of her father who has recently had a stroke. He is bedridden and unable to take care of himself. Her mother, who is a nurse, works long hours, leaving Marijana to balance the responsibilities of her father's care and a part-time job at a local market.

But Marijana's life is disrupted when her brother, who has been estranged from the family, comes back home. He is a surly, volatile, and impulsive figure who stirs up long-festering tensions in the family. Marijana's sister, meanwhile, is also unhappy, and the family dynamic is further complicated when she reveals that she is a lesbian and in a relationship with a woman.

Marijana is always in the background, watching and listening. She is a passive observer to the conflicts that surround her. But as events escalate and tensions boil over, she begins to act. Marijana becomes more assertive, taking control of her life and her destiny in a way that is both empowering and unsettling.

The movie is a slow-burning character study that eschews traditional narrative devices in favor of a more impressionistic, dreamlike tone. The camera often lingers on Marijana's face, capturing the emotions that flicker across it as she navigates this tumultuous period in her life.

The acting is uniformly excellent, particularly Petricevic's nuanced and understated portrayal of Marijana. She is a complex and fascinating character, and Petricevic does an excellent job of conveying her inner turmoil and quiet strength.

There are also moments of humor and levity in the movie, particularly in the interactions between Marijana and her coworkers at the market. These scenes provide a welcome respite from the intense drama that permeates the rest of the film.

Quit Staring at My Plate deals with themes of family dysfunction, identity, and the search for personal autonomy, all of which are explored with emotional acuity and sensitivity. The movie showcases the often-unspoken struggles of women in a patriarchal society and the difficulties they face in carving out their own space.

The movie's visual style is understated and poetic, with a muted color palette and a subtle use of natural light. The result is a haunting and evocative portrait of a woman's journey to self-discovery.

Overall, Quit Staring at My Plate is a powerful and affecting film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. It is a moving and heartfelt reminder of the struggles we all face, and of the quiet strength that lies inside all of us.