“Marija Magdalena”: Filming a cult music video from Bol on Brač to Zagreb, produced by HRT
Restović directed one of the most iconic videos in Croatian music history, accompanying Doris Dragović’s Eurovision performance.
The video for “Marija Magdalena” remains one of the most visually striking moments of Croatia’s Eurovision story. It was filmed on several locations — from the stone landscapes of Brač to the urban scenery of Zagreb — creating a contrast between the sacred, the mythical and the contemporary.
Doris Dragović delivered immense stage power and dedication, which Restović translated into strong, almost iconographic images. The project became a reference point for domestic music video production and one of the most successful chapters in Croatian pop-visual aesthetics of that era.
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My collaboration and relationship with Doris lasted intensely for five, six, perhaps even seven years – says Katja Restović: During that time, we created a large number of music videos — eight or nine — from “Marija Magdalena” (Mary Magdalene), “Gabriel” (Gabriel), “Kao ti” (Like You), “Selim ti ja” (I’m Moving Away), to “Lice” (The Face), and several others that would now require a look through the archives. That entire period left a deep and lasting mark on my life – says Restović.
We are both intense women and true perfectionists, which is why our conversations about every video were long, thorough and analytical. We would talk for hours — often through the night — about every frame, every detail. Everything had to be perfect. Everything had to make sense. Every new project and every new video brought a fresh dimension to our relationship.
Doris has always fascinated me as a woman — at once incredibly strong and resilient, yet deeply emotional. She is an excellent speaker, knows exactly what she wants, carries many layers and faces, but at the very core of it all lies a great, warm and kind heart.
One shoot in particular remains etched in my memory — “Marija Magdalena.” We travelled by vans toward Split along the old coastal road in violent storms. Then came the ferry to Brač, again through rough seas. In Bol, we filmed on a small peninsula, and some scenes were shot from a police helicopter with a fully transparent floor. The wind was fierce, and the cameraman was quite literally on the edge – Restović explains.
That evening, during dinner, a fish bone got stuck deep in my throat. No one slept until I managed to pull it out — I woke everyone when I finally succeeded. Meanwhile, Doris fell ill from the cold. Still, despite everything, she remained extraordinarily strong and professional. We returned again by stormy ferry, then flew to Zagreb through heavy turbulence — and she still gave her absolute maximum because we were facing a strict deadline.
The production was for Croatian Television and involved a large number of people. A truly serious professional team led by producer Branko Matutinović — an exceptional man with whom I would later go on to collaborate on a film.
For me, that was a unique life period. We almost lived together — creating, talking, understanding each other without many words. Doris never complicated things that didn’t matter. She always knew what was essential. She deeply respected my creativity and was completely relaxed in front of my camera. She knew I would always bring out her best. She is a beautiful woman — and she knows it — and she also knows her best angles. Doris is strong, charismatic, layered and profoundly special. I am deeply grateful that she is part of my life and my creative journey – Katja Restović concludeds the interview.
