Zona Zamfirova

This is my first comment for a movie, and what made me write this is a comment by another viewer. I'll take a wild guess and assume that viewer is not from these parts of the world, if he is, he would know that translating Zona on English is practically impossible. People who done it should get credit just for doing it. The dialect used in a movie is very old, and unfortunately almost forgotten.

As for the movie I found it very entertaining. I read a book a long time ago and I remembered thinking that it was a beautiful story. Actors are good, but like in all movies they can be better. Considering that most of the casting is very young, including two major roles, they have done an excellent job.

Director put him self to the limit trying to make it authentic as much as possible and I personally think that he has done a very good job. I know some people from the town of Nis (city where everything happened), and they told me that they liked the movie. That's good enough for me.

I strongly recommend, don't miss this movie.

I have watched the movie over fifteen times and I would never get tired of watching it. It is so brilliant - happy and sad at the same time. The actors are great especially Vojin Cetkovic. The love story is very interesting and everybody is happy at the end. That is what I like most about the movie-interesting story and great acting. It is a drama and comedy at the same time as well. The comical elements are so funny I almost could not stop laughing and the sad moments made me feel so close to the actors that I almost cried. I was very reserved about this movie when I fist heard about it. But when I watched it for first time I was amazed I could not believe my eyes I have watched so beautiful movie.

ZONA ZAMFIROVA is really entertaining movie capturing the Balkan's atmosphere a century ago. Dating was an art, marriage was an interesting business and the virginity was women's only and most protected capital. But unfortunately this film is totally not understandable for western audience. The language style, the situation bloopers, the psychology of the people were things you could get familiar only if you have ever lived with. And like in NO MAN'S LAND the humor of ZONA's love excitement is reaching only those slavic-speaking, doomed to live on the crossroad called Balkans. Serb films are coming to Bulgaria so rarely, but it's always great pleasure to see something so fresh and funny!

This movie is absolutely fantastic. It is refreshing in so far as only few ego's have been hurt in this film. Usual Balkan cinematography is all about blood and guts, human suffering and death. This is not a documentary movie, this is a feel good movie and any idiot that cannot see this should not comment and have such strong opinion about anything in their sad and pitiful lives. Director Sotra, great job, keep up the good work. Actors are great interpreting time and place but that is the secondary to other points. Film shows and celebrates the tolerance between people (eg. Czechoslovakian Maestro) that despite not understanding him he is integral part of the community. The songs are well played and costumes are elegant. Not to mention that almost everyone, including the supporting extras are "drop dead attractive". The movie depicts warmth and humility of a small community where they know to accept good and bad in people. At the end of the day they are all forgiven and a nice story is here to stay. There are so may nice human points in the movie that only requires closer scrutiny of watching it several times over. I would strongly recommend this film.

I agree the English translation is poor. I see just one possible reason: unfamiliarity with the dialect that actors speak. Serbs in general speak well English and people that work as translators are highly professionals. I guess they simple did not understand what actors tell. Actors speak the mixture of old Slavic and Serbian with many Turkish words. I am a lucky one I do understand and speak the dialect that differs from Serbian literary language. However if we move forward from the language issue one can for instance notice: excellent costumes, music, actors that perfectly match to that time and events. One always can find weaknesses but we should search for good in all.