Mirage (2004 film)

Mirage
US movie poster of Mirage
Directed bySvetozar Ristovski
Written bySvetozar Ristovski
Grace Lea Troje
Produced bySvetozar Ristovski
Harold Lee Tichenor
StarringVlado Jovanovski
Mustafa Nadarević
Nikola Đuričko
Dejan Aćimović
Marko Kovačević
CinematographyVladimir Samoilovski
Edited byAtanas Georgiev
Music byKlaus Hundsbichler
Distributed byCrescent Releasing
Picture This! (US)
Release dates
  • 11 September 2004 (2004-09-11) (Toronto International Film Festival)
  • 11 March 2005 (2005-03-11) (Macedonia)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryMacedonia
LanguagesMacedonian
Albanian

Mirage (Macedonian: Илузија; transliterated Iluzija) is a 2004 Macedonian drama film starring Vlado Jovanovski, Mustafa Nadarević, Nikola Đuričko, and Dejan Aćimović, with Marko Kovačević debuting in its lead role. It was directed by Svetozar Ristovski, who co-wrote the film with Grace Lea Troje. Taking place in the city of Veles, the film is a coming-of-age story about a talented but abused schoolboy who is betrayed by illusory hopes of a better future and transformed by harsh circumstances into a criminal. It offers a grim depiction of post-independence Macedonia, portraying it as a site of violence and corruption.

Mirage was Ristovski's feature debut as a director. Following its release in Canada and the United States, it was well-received by most critics, who have generally praised the film for its uncompromising realism and lead actor's performance. It won Best Feature Film during the 2005 Anchorage International Film Festival and was nominated for the Tokyo Grand Prix during the 2004 Tokyo International Film Festival.