Serbian and Yugoslav cinematography has over a hundred year long history, starting in 1896 when the first film was shown in the "At the Golden Cross" café in downtown Belgrade. This took place only six months after the release of the first motion picture in Paris. The 1970s are considered the golden age of domestic film. However, numerous cult movies were produced after this period.
Serbian films are largely war-themed or black-humored, and sometimes difficult to understand for foreigners. Serbian directors are masters of presenting gloomy scenes in a comedic way.
I've frequently been asked for Serbian movie recommendations. Thus, here is a list of must-see movies filmed in the last three decades that will make you fall in love with Serbian cinematography!
1. The Marathoners Run the Lap of Honor (Maratonci trče počasni krug, 1982.)
The story takes place in an unnamed small Serbian town in 1935, and focuses on the Topalović family consisting of six generations of undertakers. Though operating out of a prominently located shop in the town, Topalovićs' business is mostly based on illegal activities. One day, the oldest Topalović, Pantelija, dies…
2. Who's Singin' Over There? (Ko to tamo peva?, 1980.)
On Saturday, April 5, 1941, one day before the Nazi invasion of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, a colorful group of random passengers on a country road deep in the heart of Serbia board a dilapidated Krstić & Son bus, headed for the capital Belgrade: two Gypsy musicians, a World War I veteran, a Germanophile, a budding singer, a sickly looking man, and a hunter with a rifle. The bus is owned by Krstić Sr., and driven by his impressionable son Miško.
3. Balkan Spy (Balkanski špijun, 1984.)
Ilija Čvorović, a former Stalinist who spent several years in a prison on Goli otok, is contacted by the police to routinely answer questions about his sub-tenant, Petar Markov Jakovljević, a businessman, who spent twenty years living in Paris, and has now returned to Belgrade to open a tailor shop. As time passes, he becomes convinced that Petar, a modern man from a capitalist country, might be a spy, and starts spying on him.
4. The Elusive Summer of '68 (Varljivo leto ’68, 1984.)
A high school graduate Pera has entered adulthood and is set on finding the "love of his life". Feeling intense physical and emotional attraction to women, he intermittenly and simultaneously falls in love with a number of women. This leads him into a series of comical situations and also upsets his father, the municipal judge, a Marxist and a man of high reputation…
Ilija Čvorović, a former Stalinist who spent several years in a prison on Goli otok, is contacted by the police to routinely answer questions about his sub-tenant, Petar Markov Jakovljević, a businessman, who spent twenty years living in Paris, and has now returned to Belgrade to open a tailor shop. As time passes, he becomes convinced that Petar, a modern man from a capitalist country, might be a spy, and starts spying on him.
4. The Elusive Summer of '68 (Varljivo leto ’68, 1984.)
A high school graduate Pera has entered adulthood and is set on finding the "love of his life". Feeling intense physical and emotional attraction to women, he intermittenly and simultaneously falls in love with a number of women. This leads him into a series of comical situations and also upsets his father, the municipal judge, a Marxist and a man of high reputation…
5. Kusturica’s movies
Do You Remember Dolly Bell? (Sjećaš li se Dolly Bell), When Father Was Away on Business (Otac na službenom putu), Time of the Gypsies (Dom za vešanje), Arizona Dream, Underground (Podzemlje), Black Cat, White Cat (Crna mačka, beli mačor), Life Is a Miracle (Život je čudo).
The film revolves around juvenile delinquency in a post-communist society struggling with conflict, sanctions and winds of transition. It follows the fate of two teenage boys, Pinki and Švaba, growing up in Novi Beograd during the 1991-1996 period. Pinki is more thoughtful and articulate, while Švaba is moody, impulsive, and prone to anger outbursts. Like many of their peers, longing for recognition and a luxurious lifestyle, they enter the world of crime at the age of fourteen...
7. The Dagger (Nož, 1999. )
The plot is based on Vuk Drašković's novel of the same name. The story follows the life of Ilija Jugović/Alija Osmanović and depicts the horror and absurdity of ethnic partitions.
8. When I Grow Up, I'll Be a Kangaroo (Kad porastem biću kengur, 2004)
This movie consists of three parallel stories: of a young man dating a model, two guys who do nothing but hang around and get high, and of two other guys who just go the betting shop and cheer for their friend who is playing for Manchester.
9. Tears for Sale (Čarlston za Ognjenku, 2008.)
A story about two sisters living in the 1930's in a village without men. They had all gone to war and haven't come back. So their plan is to kidnap some men from the city and bring back life to the village.
10. The Parade (Parada, 2011)
The movie is about the struggles of the LGBT population in Serbia and their attempt to take part in the 2011 pride. A wedding-planner and gay activist Mirko seeks help from a homophobic gangster called Lemon, offering to help him with his wedding preparations in return. Interestingly, Lemon invites his civil war enemies to join the mission...
11. Montevideo, God Bless You! (Montevideo, Bog te video, 2011) and See You in Montevideo (Montevideo, vidimo se, 2014)
This popular film series is about a young, talented football team and their amazing journey to the 1930 World Cup.
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