Tito i ja

Goran Markovic, known more for his dramatic work, achieved something that's eluded many great filmmakers - both smart and funny comedy. Based loosely on his own life as a kid growing up in Tito's communist Yugoslavia in the 1950s, the movie centers around 10-year-old Zoran whose inspired poem about Tito written on a spur-of-the-moment-basis as an in-class assignment, earns him a trip with other deserving pupils retracing Tito's "revolutionary trails" in Tito's hometown of Kumrovec.

One gets the feeling that this film was 25 years in the making and that Markovic had this idea all throughout his career but was just waiting for the right political atmosphere to finally make it.

Movie is very heartwarming even though it hints at many unpleasant aspects of the communist regime in Yugoslavia. It doesn't give into the temptation of using this setting to get cheap and obvious laughs or to sprinkle in personal political statements together with the humour. Instead, it deals with everything in a light but intelligent manner, takes time to set up the supporting characters and delivers fabulous entertainment.

Great stuff.

This is one of my favorite movies. Its amazing humor, excellent characters flawlessly brought to life by great actors, interesting, funny, yet serious and many-sided story is one of best Serbian movies ever. Zoran is chunky 10-year old living in a house which his parents share with his grandmother, and aunt and uncle. During the communism in Serbia, ruled by popular dictator,Tito, many homes were taken away from their owners. Zoran's family is, unlike most, against Tito's dictature. Zoran, however, sees Tito as his personal hero, as a great man. His learned in school that Tito is greatest man ever, and, for a kid, this propaganda was very believable. Zoran will, during a field trip learn more about his hero, without meeting him, of course. Yet, in order to understand the whole greatness, you have to know Serbian people very well, and know their temper. Only that way, this movies amazing humor will be understandable.

Narrated by the main protagonist - 10-year old Zoran, "Tito i ja" uses plenty of comedic tones, warm atmosphere," and almost takes shape of a family movie in order to poke fun at the cult of Tito in the former Yugoslavia and to pinpoint cracks and contortions in the Yugoslav society during the communist period. Young Dimitrie Vojnov gives a heartfelt performance as Zoran who was not only able to hold his own amidst all the peer pressure and propaganda, but actually effected people around him. In the supporting cast, Lazar Ristovski of the "Underground" fame got another outstanding role under his belt as a dogmatic "young pioneers" instructor driven to suicide by Zoran's unrealized nonconformity.

This is among the best films I've ever seen.

The movie is a tribute to individuality. Zoran is a 10-year-old boy but he is his own man despite being surrounded by peer pressure and communist propaganda. There are so many quirks in his personality that one can't help but to like him.

It is the kind of movie that would not get made in Hollywood in a million years.

"Tito and I" is a very entertaining comedy. Although it touches on some serious issues such as political indoctrination and idolatry of communist leaders, I think the main point of the movie is not to make us think about these serious issues, but to laugh at them. Indeed, the movie gives the viewer plenty of reasons to be amused. It will be difficult not to enjoy it, trust me!

The cast includes two actors the I've seen in other Yugoslav movies: Miki Manojlovic (Underground and Black cat, white cat) and Lazar Ristovski (Underground)

Have fun!