Tag Archives: Balkan Cinema

“I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians” [2018, Romania]

Prolific Romanian director Radu Jude’s drama “Îmi este indiferent daca în istorie vom intra ca barbari” [Eng. Title: I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians] throws the cat amongst the pigeons in his home country … Continue reading

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Love and War: “Zvizdan” [Croatia 2015]

Dalibor Matanic’s film “Zvizdan” [Eng. Title: The High Sun] gives a unique perspective on a topic rarely discussed with frankness by people in what was once Yugoslavia; their hitherto simmering discontent leading to and following the rebirth of their respective nations. Using two … Continue reading

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An ode to Sarajevo: “Sjecas li se, Dolly Bell” [1981, Yugoslavia]

Emir Kusturica declares his genius in no uncertain terms with his memorable feature-film début titled, “Sjecas li se, Dolly Bell” [Eng. Title: Do You Remember Dolly Bell?]. While it might not be as loaded with nuanced symbolism as some of … Continue reading

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Mucky and dark… “Zift” [2008 Bulgaria]

Javor Gardev’s début feature “Zift” is a widescreen homage to the American film noir. It is about a recently released prisoner hounded by his partner in crime from twenty years earlier for the missing portion of the loot. Set sometime … Continue reading

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Terminus Paradis – the final destination for dreamers and romantics [1998 Romania, France, Italy]

Lucian Pintilie had something pressing to say in his whirlwind of a drama, “Terminus Paradis” [Eng. Title: Next Stop Paradise], and he certainly pulls no punches in getting the message across. He shows us a post-communist Romania where love is … Continue reading

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