Der Feind

Zivojin Pavlovic's NEPRIJATELJ is a halfhearted attempt at Yugoslav recreation of Dostoyevsky's novel THE DOUBLE. Shot by Slovenian funds, where Pavlovic found federal refuge when prosecuted by Serbian authorities, NEPRIJATELJ tells a story of a Serbian print worker whose personality splits in half as he is tormented by tough social and romantic struggles.

In terms of storytelling, Pavlovic's film tends to get muddled and simply sloppy but his gritty realism keeps the proceedings involving. Grit is accomplished by pretty brave depiction of outcasts and underdogs in the underbelly of Socialist Belgrade.

In terms of style, Pavlovic often uses his typical single shot sequences, even though there are scenes where he frames and cuts conventionally, pretty much because of the storyline, it was tough to make many special effects shots where the leading man faces his doppelganger.

In terms of subject matter and details, NEPRIJATELJ definitely is vintage Pavlovic.

Thus, NEPRIJATELJ stands as a typical and yet unique Pavlovic film that represents him both in terms of landmark style and at his pretty experimental flirtations with conventional cinema.