The Key (1965)
A Yugoslav anthology drama in which three lost keys unlock three intimate stories about love, longing, and the quiet moral weight of everyday life.
The Key - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ključ
- Release Year: 1965
- Directed by: Antun Vrdoljak, Krsto Papić et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 9, 1965 (HR)
- Production Companies: Jadran Film
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
The Key - Plot
Segment "Duga ulica" (A Long Street): A young man named Boris and a girl, Vera, live in the same neighborhood. They meet one night when she loses her key. Boris invites her to spend the night at his place; Segment "Čekati" (To Wait): Married students, Ivan and Sonja, live in an old woman's apartment. She is sick and the couple hopes that she will die soon, so that they may inherit her apartment; Segment "Poslije predstave" (After the Play): A husband and a wife lose the key to their apartment and have to spend the night in a hotel. The experience is wonderful and renews their feelings for each other, if only for a night.
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The Key - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Antun Vrdoljak
- Krsto Papić
- Vanča Kljaković
Main Cast
- Božidar Boban
- Jagoda Kaloper
- Kruno Valentić
- Marija Lojk
- Slobodan Dimitrijević
- Tana Mascarelli
- Fabijan Šovagović
- Branko Špoljar
- Stevo Krnjajić
- Sven Lasta
Writers
- Antun Vrdoljak
- Branimir Šćepanović
- Zvonimir Berković
- Krsto Papić
- Vanča Kljaković
The Key - FAQs
What is The Key about?
The Key is a Yugoslav anthology drama made up of three short stories, each centered on a lost or missing key as a catalyst for human connection. The segments explore a chance romantic encounter, a morally uncomfortable wait for an inheritance, and a married couple rediscovering their bond during an unplanned hotel night.
How many segments does The Key contain?
The film contains three distinct segments: "Duga ulica" (A Long Street), about a young man and woman thrown together by a lost key; "Čekati" (To Wait), following a couple hoping to inherit a dying woman's apartment; and "Poslije predstave" (After the Play), in which a married couple's lockout leads to an unexpectedly romantic night.
Where can you watch The Key online?
You can check current streaming and rental options for The Key on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so JustWatch is the best place to find the most up-to-date viewing options for this 1965 Yugoslav drama.
Who directed The Key (1965)?
The Key was co-directed by three filmmakers: Antun Vrdoljak, Krsto Papić, and Vanča Kljaković. Each director helmed one of the film's three anthology segments, bringing a distinct sensibility to their story while maintaining a cohesive thematic thread about human relationships and fleeting moments of connection.
Is The Key similar to Paris Je T'aime?
Yes, there are clear parallels. Like Paris Je T'aime, The Key is an anthology film that uses a single unifying motif — the key — to link separate stories about love and human connection. Both films rely on multiple directors and short-form storytelling to paint a mosaic portrait of everyday emotional life.
Who are the main actors in The Key?
The cast features Božidar Boban and Jagoda Kaloper in the first segment, Marija Lojk and Slobodan Dimitrijević in the second, and Sven Lasta alongside Fabijan Šovagović in supporting roles. Tana Mascarelli, Kruno Valentić, Branko Špoljar, and Stevo Krnjajić also appear throughout the three stories.
What themes does The Key explore?
The Key digs into themes of chance, longing, moral ambiguity, and the fragility of human relationships. Each segment uses a literal lost key as a metaphor — for opportunity, for waiting, for rediscovery. Together, the three stories form a quietly probing portrait of how small disruptions can unlock something deeper in people.
Where was The Key (1965) produced?
The Key was produced in Yugoslavia by Jadran Film, one of the most prominent production companies in the former Yugoslav film industry. The studio, based in Zagreb, Croatia, was responsible for a significant number of notable Yugoslav films throughout the 1960s and beyond.
More About The Key
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