Variola vera

Masterpiece! One of my favourite films ever!

The film is packed with omnious, horrifying scenes and it is based on true events at the same time. It has many merciless scenes but they are realistic. Furthermore, the cast is great as well and they authentically represent different states of human psyche and patterns of behaviour during hard times while being locked in hospital. Some of them behave like cowards and some fight bravely with disease and help everyone in need even though it can cost them their own life. In my opinion this film isn't nearly as popular as it should be, especially that we all faced global pandemic not a long time ago.

A masterpiece of Serbian cinematography for several reasons: 1. The plot is inspired by a real life event that happened in Belgrade, the outbreak of the Variola Vera pox virus that was brought to Yugoslavia by a person who has traveled to the Middle East. 2. The claustrophobic environment of the quarantined hospital gives you chills down the spine. 3. A struggle of humanity in the darkest times 4. Doing research before making the film. Goran Markovic, the director of the movie, had a team of doctors who contributed in making the movie so it would look realistic, and not a fictional horror movie. Outstanding acting and cinematography.

One of those movies that keeps you awake at night and makes you wonder about things like bio-terrorism and stuff like that... Like your own safety in those "what if" situations... Absolutely every single segment of this movie is shocking and frightening... Music theme containing some middle-East motifs keeps playing in your mind from the very first minute of the movie, and stays in it even after you have watched it. Horrifying story of pilgrim who came back and brought along one of the deadliest diseases known to men surely sounds scary, but what makes it even more creepy is the fact that it's based on true story... The event that made the whole world vulnerable, and reminded us that no matter how strong we appear to be, there's always one invisible enemy we cannot fight and cannot defeat. Cast is terrific, some of the best Yugoslavian actors had their career highlights in this movie... Especially brilliant role of Rade Serbedzija. If you like this type of movies, this is a movie that you just cannot miss... And if you don't... Well..rent it out anyway. Highest recommendation.

"Variola Vera" is probably one of the best drama performances in Serbian cinematography. The reason for that lies in the trueness of the background story. A smallpox epidemic did hit Yugoslavia in 1972., thus being the last appearance of this deadly disease on European soil.

Although "Variola Vera" is an adaptation with fictional characters, the atmosphere throughout the entire movie is as real as it gets. It does make you feel the fear of an invisible enemy, a deadly disease in a quarantined environment, with no knowing what tomorrow brings. That's what makes a good drama. I was scared the first time I've seen it, and I still do.

Brilliant acting by the best Serbian and Yugoslavian cast, realistic environment, a storyline with a clean development and the solid directing work by Goran Markovic make "Variola Vera" a timeless classic and a must see for everyone who likes real time horror.

What could be better, and that's a fact with 90% Yugoslav movies from the era, is the photography, lab work and sound. Still, even with such flaws "Variola Vera" will make a deep impression. Enjoy.

One of the most scary movies I've seen, atmosphere, acting, truly disturbing.