Interview with Producer Ales Pavlin for Slovenian Blockbuster Hit Whites Wash At Ninety (2025)

 

 

You have been a prolific producer for decades when many find it such a difficult feat to produce a film today. What is your secret recipe?

 

ALES: My path of becoming producer was a little bit longer than expected, since I was coming from post-socialist country and the profession of producer as we know now was starting to develop in the mid 90-ies. Before becoming a producer I was professionally active for a few years in theatrical distribution (working as representative of United International Pictures in Slovenia), later in theatrical exhibition and finally for the last twenty years in production. My secret recipe would be to know very thoroughly all 3 basic parts of the film industry combined with a lot of passion and never resisting even when it is seems too hard to achieve a goal.

 

 

How do you choose the films you work on through your Slovenian based production company?

 

ALES: In last years I finally could become more demanding and do not work on projects which I don’t feel challenging enough. So I am looking for films which has something relevant to say and are not only local, but have international

potential.

 

 

Out of all your productions to date, do you have a favorite project you have worked on that you are most proud of?

 

ALES: A project which I can be most proud till now is feature film “Apples” (Greece-Poland- Slovenia coproduction) by first time director Christos Nikou, where I have met extremely talented director, recognized an amazing and unique project, met a great production team and a passionate sales agent. The film was very successful all over the world and brought the director the opportunity to work on a 2nd film already English speaking called “Fingernails” with Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmad and Jeremy Allen White. I am also extremely proud of my latest film Whites Wash at Ninety which just started very successful way in cinemas.

 

 

Your latest film, Whites Wash at Ninety, has been a big hit at film festivals so far. Can you tell us about the story and adapting it from book to screen?

 

ALES: Whites Wash at Ninety, directed by Marko Nabersnik is a moving and inspiring story about the life of Bronja, as we follow her through various stages of life. As a child, she enjoys exploring the world with her younger brother, Rok. Her carefree life is shattered by the death of her mother from cancer. In her late teens, she must confront the same devastating disease when she is diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The story is based on true events and the best-selling book of the same name. The film portrays Bronja's journey of growth during the 80s and 90s, as well as her personal transformation, offering hope and inspiration to viewers. It was a huge challenge to adapt it from the book which at the moment is translated in 8 world languages, but it seems we did it very well, due to respond of the audience all over Europe. It was the most anticipated Slovenian film in last 20 years and after two weekends in Slovenian cinemas it is already confirmed it will be a big cinema hit.

 

 

Can you tell us about the journey of producing this film? Where was it filmed and how did you cast it?

 

ALES: It was really hard to produce it due to the period 80-ies and 90-ies, which demands higher production budget. So it is a coproduction of six countries Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. On top of that it was cofinanced with pan-European fund Eurimages. It was filmed mostly in Slovenia (in capital city Ljubljana and some mountain locations) and also on Mediterranean sea in Croatia, Trieste and Udine in Italy. We had a long casting process which resulted with all-star Slovenian cast and big international actress Anica Dobra, who has more than 130 acting credits in ex-Yugoslavia, Germany, Austria,… https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229733/

 

 

What about the film's message do you think will touch the world, no matter where they are from or what age?

 

ALES: I am pretty sure, according from experience from international festivals where we already screened the film. It is a universal story of hope and surviving even when it is the hardest. And she as real perosn has made it and is an inspiration to many who have surfaced similar situation in their own life or life of someone very close to them.

 

 

Do you have any anecdotes from the production of the film that make you laugh or that were difficult?

 

ALES: Not so much anecdotes from the production more from the screenings, since at almost every festival premiere including local Slovenian cinema premieres at least few people fainted during the screening because of so powerful impact of story on them.

 

 

The film opened in Sarajevo official section and won 3rd Audience Award. And it has been picking up awards around Eastern Europe. Can you tell us about the festival journey?

 

ALES: The festival journey started late August, till now we have been on 10 festivals, but the real festival journey will be from beginning of 2026, since we have many invitations already. Film is interested to festival programmers in sections for audience driven films and respond from audience from all festivals was very powerful. And why is screening at film festivals so important for indie films like this? It is important since it gives you international visibility and raises possibility to sell rights for certain country.

 

 

Where will people be able to see the film?

 

ALES: They have already seen it on before mentioned festivals, it will be in cinemas next year in all coproduction countries and after that it will be shown on streaming platforms.

 

 

What will you be working on next?

 

ALES: I am working on few projects, but most intensively on a very ambitious international film project INFIDEL, which will be directed by the same director Marko Nabersnik.

 

 

 

Interview by Vanessa McMahon