Marsal

Your ordinary Croatian coast or island town is supposed to have a medieval atmosphere. The Mediterranean as it used to be, you know. This time, though, it's a different, not so long ago by-gone era's air infiltrating back to surround you from the depth of the alleys. With the marshal's resurgence it's not only the loudly anti-communist mayor who will reconsider what the end of communism means to him. The ex-partisans might have their say, too. Who's going to marshal this then? See for yourself.

Very good satire with exactly the right mixture of plausibility and improbability in the story. In dealing with the post-socialist social and political transformation by deploying satirical means, it fits into the long series of films from 'former Eastern bloc' or 'Soviet satellite' states doing the same, along with 'Pogoda na jutro' from Poland or 'Good Bye Lenin' from the cultural space, so to say, of former East Germany, to name just a few of many. Watching one is no substitute for the others, of course. As anyone barely acquainted with the subject might know, 'communism' was no cheeseburger for the Eastern so-called 'bloc', to which the former Yugoslavia did not belong. The experiences with socialism were similar, but differences were abound as well. And besides, the films I mentioned are all very good anyway.

This is delightful comedy, relevant to any country that has idolized its leader. Croatia must be well on the way to recovery if it can produce and destribute and laugh at such a film. Of course, I don't know if it is widely seen within Croatia..

Young police officer Stipan (Drazen Kuhn) is sent to investigate a case dealing with a funeral as the island is allegedly haunted by the ghost of Josip Broz Tito, Communist leader of former Yugoslavia, soon the news spreads and others also claim to see the Marshal's ghost. The mayor Luka (Ivo Gregurevic) a die-hard Capitalist, also the owner of the only hotel on the island feels the opportunity to revive tourism and drives the people to stage a kind of "Marxist Disneyland "on a political and spiritualistic basis. He faces backlash from WW2 veterans of 7th Dalmatian Brigade and the villagers, while the old supporters reopen the old Museum of the Socialist Revolution and dust off their old uniforms. The clash of old communists and neo-capitalists' triggers poetic, cynical and coarse moments as the island is invaded by old veterans, secret agents, police, nationalists.

Marshal Tito's Spirit (1999) is one the best comedy dealing with the phenomenon of post-communism ever shot, Bresan co-wrote the script with his father Ivan Bresnan, the acclaimed Croatian dramatist and novelist. Unlike the much better known Good Bye, Lenin! Is not based on a single good idea, but on a series of absurd, well-pointed situations and messages. The story is complemented by amazing cinematography and Balkan music, which creates an interesting atmosphere and excellent actors, who fit exactly to the individual characters. This is probably my favourite from the Bresnan's and I'd recommend it for the fans of Slobodan Sijan, Emir Kusturica, Gytis Luksas, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and Ivan Salaj you will not be disappointed.

The only downside of this movie is that it communicates far better with the audience that has experienced the folly of totalitarian state, either communist (as former Yugoslavia was) or fascist (as all of newly formed Balkan states tend to be in greater or lesser degree).Ivo Bresan (screenplay) has had the long time reputation of non-compromising intellectual and a witty fighter for human and political truth. His son Vinko Bresan proved to be not only his father's faithful follower, but a great movie director too. This is a wonderful movie where fantasy and reality intermingle so well that they become one. It has been heavily loaded with subtle details and messages that depict picturesque Slavic (not only Croatian) mentality,and it has also been spiced with the juicy Dalmatian dialect which since the times of former Yugoslavia has been a trade-mark of exquisite humor. Camera brings a bit of surrealistic tone - it hasn't only been the reflection of the Adriatic Coast magic, but of Croatian genuine tradition of naive art as well. Acting is immaculate: relaxed,intelligent and natural. Great, great movie! All Croats, Serbs, and Moslems, whether they have been scattered throughout the globe or still live in their native countries, should see this masterpiece essay on human stupidity.

This is great comedy, especially because it is one of the best movies made in Croatia since 1990. The director was leading the actors very carefully and very surely, so there was very few mistakes, but, in my opinion, the most responsible for this movie was the director's father, Ivo. He is one of the best screenwriters in ex-Yugoslavia, and now in Croatia.

Vinko should continue on this way, because it seems that he has to show much more. P.S. On 19. February 2000, Vinko received an award in Berlin, but I don't know what was award. Congratulation, just keep on doing job that you do best, directing.