Marija and Dragana live in an institute for young people with mental disabilities near Belgrade. They are both in love with the quiet Robert, and start competing for his affections. Penetratingly beautiful film, starring actual residents of the institute where the film was shot.
When silent and brooding Marija is placed in the Serbian Sremcica Home for Children and Youth, she becomes friends with the exuberant Dragana. Dragana introduces her to Robert, a boy who works in the institution’s canteen and never says a word. Marija falls in love with Robert, but Dragana wants him all for herself. A battle for Robert’s affections ensues, with heavy and ugly outbursts of jealousy as a result.
Oasis is Ivan Ikic’ second feature, after the raw football hooligan drama Barbarians. It is a slow-moving film but with an incredible power, beautifully showing that universal themes like love, fear, safety and jealousy manifest themselves everywhere and in all circumstances. The impressive actors are all actual residents of Sremcica.