Krugovi

Even if it does not entertain you, Krugovi is certainly a movie that makes you think (about life in general, but also about Balkan history in particular). In troubled situations and extreme conditions, the ugliest and the most beautiful shades of the human soul reveal together. The tricky thing is that they seem to appear inter-connected, so a terrible bad might be the reason and the circumstance of some extraordinary good. The movie is inspiring, it is about hope in humanity, about people who act as human beings, even in that moments where the animal instinct reigns over the world. Souls talk, people not too much. There are rough characters, that create strong ties based on common memories. In spite of all, they seem to have an inner need to do the right thing. All the stories from this movie start from the same point, Marko a soldier in the Bosnian War is beaten to death because he was trying to defend a Muslim from harassment and possible death. Few years later, the characters of that scene arrive to deal again with each other.

Krugovi (Circles) explores the consequences of civil war in former Yugoslavia, which is still a very sensitive subject in the area. The discussion surrounding such a movie usually overshadows its message. Due to the complex nature of the conflict and numerous parties involved, movies about this particular civil war tend to paint a simplified picture and imply how one of the sides were "more guilty". This might not be interesting or even anticipated by an unacquainted viewer, yet it takes a toll on the artistic merit of the movie. Angelina Jolie's In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011) is probably the best example.

The authors of Krugovi (Circles) overcame this challenge by a script in which the main protagonists are mostly Serbs. A group of Serbian soldiers kicks off the storyline and their actions would influence their lives and the lives of the people around them even twelve years later.

Probably the best thing about this movie is its atmosphere. The grinding sadness almost pours from the screen. However, this is not a tragedy, rather a story about common people whose small deeds might make the world a better place although they won't right the wrongs of the past.

Krugovi (Circles) is so far the best feature film by the Srdan Golubovic. According to IMDb.com he directed only three feature films, yet he displayed an amazing ability to improve his output throughout his career. This one set the bar pretty high and it is with great expectation that i await his next movie.

Krugovi (Circles) is one of the best Serbian movies of last decade. It is inspired by heroic death of young Serbian soldier Srdjan Aleksic (Marko in movie), who saved life of Muslim during Bosnian civil war and was killed by his comrades. Question which leads movie is: Was it for nothing? Does it mean anything to people? This movie itself is an answer on this question.

Movie depicts people that are 12 years later still in front of this tragedy. Father of victim is rebuilding the church stone by stone. Church is removed due to building a new hydro-power central and he is using the same stone to build it on the top of the hill. Question is: Is it worth? Cinematography here is beautiful. Friend of Marko that didn't do anything to help him is victim of his conscience. Questin is: How to live with it? Fiancé of Marko left Bosnia and Herzegovina and tries to move on, but it is far from easy. Son of one of murderers has to find a way to live with his father's crime and to rebuild the church together with Marko's father. As he is trying to help it seems he is just spoiling. Haris, whose life Marko saved, lives in Germany with wife and two daughters and on the anniversary of Marko's death is in situation to "pay his debt".

At the end all protagonists got answers and we could feel it. We didn't need words to explain situation. As in real life sometimes word are redundant, incapable.

I highly recommend this movie. It is emotional, but never pathetic; ethical, but never moralistic; inspiring, but not pretentious; abounds with symbols, but never confusing.

And one question for the end: When circles will reach us?

first - it is not just a movie. but an experience. a special one. because , more than images, music, acting, it is a web of questions about small , usual everyday things. it is expression of a splendid precision to give to a not extraordinary story, at first case, soul, force and blood. it remains many other great European films. but it is not a shadow. or an answer. only a question. few amazing scenes . a great director. salt taste. ash circles. and the measure as axis of a group portrait. it is not a bad idea to see it. why ? for discover a world questions. for few memorable scenes. for Aleksander Bercek silence, for Nikola Rakocevic character nuances, for Hristina Popovic in skin of storm, for the art, splendid art of Srdan Glubovic.

Summary says it all. This is one of best movies I have ever seen, and masterpiece of Serbian cinematography. It's really well done technically, and not revealing everything until very end, but giving hints all way along about why characters are acting the way they do. It slowly raises history, revealing one event that scarred all for life.

It's based on true story of Serbian soldier in Bosnia during wartime, and it follows characters to present day, showing how incident in Bosnia haunts them. Movie is pretty hard to watch, because of very thought of situation. It gets emotional at some points, where characters finally leave history behind, or do something that honors the memory of incident. This movie also shows global atmosphere during Yugoslavian civil war, pretty much pointing out that ordinary people did not want to wage war. It has subtle cinematographic effects, revealing more than there is to plain sight.

As a person who likes movies, I will leave criticism and reviews to people that are paid to do that. However I will recommend this movie as a must-see to everyone reading this.