Kekec (film)

Kekec is a 1951 Slovene/Yugoslavian adventure-youth film directed by Jože Gale. It is based on mountain narrative Kekec Above the Lonely Abyss (Kekec nad samotnim breznom), by Josip Vandot, the last of three stories about Kekec, published in Slovenian youth magazine Zvonček in 1924. The film was produced by Triglav Film and originally distributed by Vesna film, now Viba film. It is set in the northwest part of the Slovenian mountains, mainly in the author's birthplace, Kranjska Gora, and the Julian Alps.

This is the first in the Jože Gale film series about Kekec and has two sequels: Good Luck, Kekec (Srečno, Kekec!) from 1963 and Kekec's Tricks (Kekčeve ukane) from 1968.

More than a thousand children auditioned for casting director Ernest Adamič.

Plot summary
Based on the popular story "Kekec nad samotnim breznom" ("Kekec Above the Lonely Abyss", 1924) by Josip Vandot, the story is close to the original, with added songs and background music. It is set in an idyllic village of the Slovenian mountains where Kekec (Matija Barl), where a young boy lives.

High in the mountains, Bedanec (France Presetnik) leads his solitary life as a widely feared and wicked man. The brave boy Kekec is not afraid of him. When he learns Bedanec victimizes Mojca (Zdenka Logar) and Kosobrin (Frane Milčinski) in his house, Kekec sets out to find them. With his courage and cunning, he sets them free and forces Bedanec to leave for good.

Reception
This is the most popular and successful film in Kekec's film trilogy. It was the first Slovenian film to win an international award, at the 13th Venice International Film Festival in 1952, a Golden Lion recognizing it as the best film for kids aged 11 to 14. It possibly screened at festivals and cinemas in over 60 countries, such as China, where it was part of 1957's Yugoslavian film week.

Music
The background music and theme tune were written by Slovenian composer Marjan Kozina. Lyrics for the theme song, Kaj mi poje ptičica (Dobra volja je najbolja), were written by Frane Milčinski and performed by Tomaž Tozon with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra.