Between Karst and a Hard Place (2026): Cast, Story and Release

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Between Karst and a Hard Place is an 18-minute Croatian drama about Mislav, a man seeking a new sense of self after a relationship ends. A visit to his father’s bull-breeding business in the Dalmatian Hinterland leads to an unusual connection that begins to reshape his outlook.

Between Karst and a Hard Place follows a young man looking for direction after the end of a committed relationship. His search takes him away from familiar surroundings and into the rural setting of the Dalmatian Hinterland.

There, Mislav reconnects with his father and encounters a bull that affects him in an unexpected way. Written and directed by Petar Vukičević, the Croatian short drama centers on personal change, family proximity and an unusual bond.

Between Karst and a Hard Place movie details

Story without spoilers

After his relationship ends, Mislav travels to a small village in the Dalmatian Hinterland to visit his father. His father runs a fighting bull breeding business, giving the visit a distinctive rural context and placing Mislav in an environment far removed from his previous life.

Mislav’s growing connection with one of the bulls becomes the central turning point in the story. Rather than presenting his visit as a simple return home, the film uses this relationship to explore how an unexpected encounter can influence a person’s sense of self.

What to expect

This is a compact drama with an intimate premise and a strong connection to its Croatian setting. At 18 minutes, the film is structured as a focused character story rather than an expansive narrative. Its central elements are Mislav’s effort to recover after a breakup, his relationship with his father and the unusual bond that begins changing him.

The bull-breeding business and the Dalmatian Hinterland provide the story’s defining circumstances. Viewers can expect a concise, personal film built around identity, family and emotional transition, without revealing how Mislav’s experience ultimately develops.

Cast and creative team

Stipe Jelaska plays Mislav, the film’s central character. Leon Lučev appears as Mislav’s father. Petar Vukičević wrote and directed Between Karst and a Hard Place.

• Stipe Jelaska as Mislav
• Leon Lučev as Mislav's father

Release and production context

Between Karst and a Hard Place is a Croatian drama short with a runtime of 18 minutes. It is listed as released in 2026, with a release date of October 20, 2026. The film is in Croatian and was produced by Blank and Kino Klub Split.

Production companies: Blank, Kino Klub Split

Movies Dock view

With its short running time and clearly defined premise, Between Karst and a Hard Place presents a focused story about a man reassessing himself in an unfamiliar rural setting. Its combination of family ties, bull breeding and personal change gives the film a distinctive foundation while keeping the narrative centered on Mislav’s transformation.

Film data:
TMDB