Otvorena vrata

"Otvorena Vrata" remains a key benchmark in Serbian television up to this day. With the script, direction, photography and acting it was way ahead of it's time, and in many ways still is.

It was a daring attempt to make a series like "Otvorena Vrata" or "Open Doors" in the mid 90s Serbia. The country was at war under heavy sanctions and crisis, with an absolutist regime controlling the media. Still, the series did find it's place on state television in prime time Saturday night. I'm still not clear how that happened, but it made me satisfied non the less.

The plot revolves around an eccentric urban family and their neighbors and friends, all weird and quite specific in their own way. The family center is the character of Katarina Andjelic, a conceptual artist and her close family - Sofija, a know-it-all politics obsessed daughter and Vojkan, a hypochondriac teenage son. Also Katarina's brother Bata, a make belief businessman, his petrol-head daughter Ana, Dragoslav, the ex husband which always sneaks around, and many others.

In it's time, "Otvorena Vrata" was widely criticized and even hated by the rural population since the story and dialect are strictly based on urban Belgrade customs and legends. On the other hand, the city population, me included, loved the series precisely for that urban spirit. Although it was made and shown during the strongest Milosevic era, it often criticized and the regime in a distinctive manner.

"Otvorena Vrata" remains a unique TV creation up to this day, and as the time passes, it seems it will keep the undisputed first place for ages to come. Serbian television has thundered down in quality during the last decade, and while in 1994. we had "Otvorena Vrata", these days weekend nights are reserved for "Selo gori...", "Rodjak sa sela", "Bela ladja" and other for intelligence insulting contents.

the biggest problem of the series 'otvorena vrata' i.e. 'open doors' is that it's not made in English.

It is unique staff unlike anything I've ever seen. You'll get in the life of average (little above the average) Serbian family in 90's if you watch the series 'otvorena vrata'. The most intimate moments presented with unique dose of humor and satire will come to you. I believe no one would regret the meeting with the sophisticated humor represented in the series.

Believe me, even the strongest English satiric humor is nothing compared to the dose of satire represented in the 'Otvorena vrata'.

Best domestic series in the last two decades. Unmatched in every aspect of it. Great cast and great production above all else. I love them.

Simply the best forever. Cakana, Bata, Ana, Voja, Milica, Dragance, Ugrinovic .... are an integral part of my childhood.

Exactly 25 years have passed since the broadcasting of the first part of this cult series. And this is still the best series ever recorded. All authors and actors, along with producers, have entered the history of television and nothing will move them.