Tockovi

This is a debut feature from Djordje Milosavljevic (known Serbian comic-book artist and script writer), and it's one kick-ass piece of work. This film noir is as stylish as it is bloody. Imagine a Yugoslav Tarantino, but with even more wit and intelligence than the American one. The basic story line goes something like this: Nemanya (the main character) is lost in the rain on his way to Belgrade and seeks shelter in a remote motel called "Wheels" (or "Tockovi" in Serbian) where he is forced to rub shoulders with a whole range of shady characters who could give the entire Pulp Fiction crew a run for their own money. Before he knows it, Nemanya is accused of a murder he didn't committ and has to fight his way out by the only remaining mean - a gun. What follows is an outrageously macabre and hilarious, set of sequences on the course of which an innocent Nemanya unwillingly turns into a brutal, professional killer, despite his continuous, and very ironic, lamentations that he is not a murderer, and that he is innocent. The parrallells to the happenings in the real-life Yugoslavia can also be made. What at first seems like a bunch of marry-go-lucky people having a few drinks in a motel while awaiting for the heavy rain to stop, turns into a nightmarish reality where everyone hates everyone else because each guest has a dark secret to hide. Similar thing happened in Yugoslavia, where the people who seemingly lived well together turned to violence as soon as the communist grip was loose. The movie even sports self-ironic references to the NATO campaign against Serbia. In any case, I don't want to reveal any more twists and turns of this rollercoaster thriller, except that I also enjoyed the film's cool, ethnic-tinged soundtrack. I have no idea whether "Wheels" found any distributors in the States because I saw it as a part of the "Freedom Film Festival 2000," but I really wish it did because this movie is superior even by Western standards. Even though it's in Serbian language, with the right promotion it would definitely appeal to a lot of people, for it is a REALLY-REALLY excellent work. Beg, borrow and steal to see this movie! It's that good.

I can not believe what I just saw and that no one recommended it to me earlier. The domestic cinematography has not seen anything like this before this movie nor after. I do not want to write anything related to the plot itself, because it would really be a shame to spoil it to somebody, so I will only give you some general impression. If Tarantino was a Serb, he would make "Wheels". The story is dark, morbid, brutal and bloody, and still wacky and ridiculous, at the same time predictable and full of unexpected twists. Set design, camera and direction are excellent and achieve an atmosphere that reminded me somewhat of "Twin Peaks" and "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover," while retaining the Serbian charm. and music shocked and thrilled me. Anica Dobra, Bogdan Diklic, Neda Arneric, Svetozar Cvetkovic and Manda presented their roles at the usual level, Pele and Isidora Minic are the weakest points in this film, but Dragan Micanovic, Ljubisa Samardzic and Nikola Kojo nailed it. After decades of drama and comedy, someone has finally made something else. If not for anything else, take a look at this movie to make sure that Serbian black humor horror thriller really exists.

9/10

... and I instantly had to share the resemblance! And it seems I'm not the only one!

The Wheels did it first, might I say?

One of the few Yugo movies that still live rent free in my and heads of many others. We casual mention references in the daily talk.

"Kovenko sa V. V kao vupa. Vupa u zidu, vupa gvavi..."

This is absolutely great peace of work. You haven't use to watch this kind of movies from Serbia. I don't know whats better; camera (fantastic), music (number one in all movies I have ever seen!), scene (take attention to the floor), atmosphere (its always raining - great), acting (100%), characters (i cant explain them :), screenplay (with lots of healthy and black humor), and story (very good). Its a revolutionary break for Serbian cinematography because it don't have so strong social drama component and it is very dynamic, with originally camera and music. All compliments for Director Djordje Milosavljevic, and you have my recommendation for this movie

Almost the entire action of the film takes place in one location, in a motel. It's a very interesting store, and until the last minute, the movie keeps your attention. The cast, led by Dragan Micanovic and Nikola Kojo, for whom these are probably the best roles in life, has done an outstanding job. The script was written very well and I dare say that this is one of the best Serbian films ever. However, what is truly fantastic in this film is music. Lajko Felix just dominated here. The music is really great and completely extraordinary. You simply can't miss this movie! One of the pearls of Serbian cinema!