Nedelja

I haven't seen such an awful movie in a while. Artistically void, hopelessly bland, with zero movie-making craft. Watches like an unsuccessful documentary - as if someone dramatized parts of Dzej's Wikipedia page. Characters are hopelessly shallow. So many narrative arcs are scratched on the surface and then just left to die - which may be forgiven had the movie managed to communicate some strong emotion - which it definitely didn't. The main character and narrator, Dzej, feels like a faded bystander in his own movie. Major things in his life just happen, and we have no explanation or exposition why - neither factographical, nor emotional, not even postmodernly artistic. What is this movie trying to do, what is trying to be? It's neither a documentary-like coherent biopic nor an arthouse examination of an artist's internal life and emotions. Nor is it anything in between - the script is just plain bad, and often, really boring. Absolutely horrid waste of time to be honest. A shame, because a movie about Dzej's life could have been really good, but the screenwriters just blew it.

Movie Nedelja stands out distinctly from other domestic Serbian cinematic creations. It takes you on an intense emotional journey, on a moments causing chills, tears and laughter, beautifully narrating the life and vibrant energy of the music icon from Dorchol, Dzej Ramadanovski. Nedelja movie offers much more to the audience, it masterfully portrays the youth and lives of various generations during the Yugoslav era. Watching movie instantly transports you back to childhood stirring vivid memories. The audience might find echoes of their own family stories revived. Truly, Nedelja is a cinematic masterpiece that resonates deeply on personal level.

In "Nedelja," the narrative fails to delve deeply into the life of the protagonist, Dzej. Instead, the film primarily focuses on secondary characters and tangential storylines, neglecting to provide a comprehensive exploration of Dzej's journey. Throughout the film, there is a notable absence of emotional depth and character development, leaving the audience disconnected from the central figure's experiences. One of the glaring weaknesses of "Nedelja" is its erratic pacing and disjointed storytelling. Scenes transition abruptly, and significant events unfold without sufficient build-up or explanation. This haphazard approach to storytelling results in a lack of coherence and makes it challenging for viewers to fully engage with the narrative. Without a cohesive structure, the film feels disjointed and lacks the emotional resonance needed to captivate the audience. Moreover, the film's treatment of Dzej's music is disappointing. Despite being a central aspect of his identity, his musical journey is sidelined in favor of superficial subplots involving mafia elements and mundane characters. The music, which could have served as a powerful means of character development and emotional expression, is relegated to the background, overshadowed by less compelling storylines. This oversight diminishes the impact of Dzej's artistry and undermines the potential for the audience to connect with his passion and creativity. Furthermore, the portrayal of the mafia subplot feels contrived and unconvincing. Rather than adding depth to the narrative, these elements come across as forced and derivative. The inclusion of mafia characters and their interactions with Dzej distracts from the central themes of the film and detracts from the authenticity of the storytelling. Instead of enhancing the overall experience, these plotlines serve as unnecessary distractions, diluting the impact of Dzej's story. Additionally, the supporting characters in "Nedelja" are underdeveloped and lack complexity. Many of them serve as mere plot devices, existing solely to advance the narrative rather than contributing meaningfully to the exploration of themes or the development of the central characters. As a result, the interactions between Dzej and these peripheral figures feel superficial and devoid of substance, further weakening the emotional core of the film. Overall, "Nedelja" fails to deliver a compelling portrayal of Dzej's life and struggles. The film's disjointed narrative, superficial treatment of music, and contrived subplots undermine its potential to resonate with audiences. While it may offer fleeting moments of entertainment, its shortcomings prevent it from achieving the emotional depth and authenticity necessary to leave a lasting impact. In its current state, "Nedelja" falls short of its ambitions and fails to fulfill its promise as a meaningful exploration of art, identity, and the human experience.

The movie is really outstanding! Emotional, touching, but also in certain moments funny. The scenes are made to wake up and to mix the hormones of happiness and sadness. For a moment I had the feeling that Dzej was in front of me, and that he sang to me about his life. I felt some chills all over my body. His voice in the background has awoken strong emotions reminding me of many life memories in the past. The little and the big Dzej played amazing roles. Other actors were also fantastic! I don't have any criticism. I just regret not meeting the Dzej - the favourite man at Dorcol who captivated people by sincere smile and kindness.

First Impression:

"Nedelja" is an interesting take on the exploration of Dzej Ramadanovski's life and the Serbian folk music scene, providing insight into the cultural background of the music. Directed by Nemanja Ceranic and Milos Radunovic, the film is notable for its music, production design, and visual style, although it does have a few minor drawbacks.

The Positives:

Music and Sound Design: The music scenes were very varied and caught my attention immediately. The film's music fits perfectly within its narrative, underscoring emotional beats and heightening the drama where necessary. This, combined with the musical score, creates an evident tension that might resonate with the audience. The sound design complements this by masterfully balancing quiet moments with louder, more intense sequences.

Production Design: Despite some viewers potentially finding the depiction of poverty and rough living conditions unsettling, the film's commitment to authenticity is commendable. The production design meticulously recreates the era, providing a truthful backdrop against which the story unfolds.

Cinematography and Visual Storytelling: The film's visual storytelling is particularly noteworthy, with the cinematography adeptly capturing the essence of Dzej's world. The cinematography in the film was great and adequate, but not over the top. The varied shot composition, including medium shots and effective use of zoom ins and zoom outs, although was just okay, still contributes significantly to the film's vibe.

Mixed Elements:

Writing and Storytelling: The writing in this film has the potential to flow in a different way. It is great that it explores Dzej's childhood, which was incorporated into a dark and harsh perspective, and adulthood, which had comedic elements during the film.

However, what I did not like is that the film focuses on many characters at the same time, which, on the one hand, were interesting perspectives, but, on the other hand, I expected to see more life perspectives of Dzej since this is a film about him. Hence, the portrayal of Dzej's musical career is somewhat vague, leaving me wanting more depth and detail in exploring his professional journey and accomplishments.

Direction and Pacing: The direction does well in crafting a cohesive and captivating story. A steady and calm narration helps some of the scenes transition smoothly, which improves the viewing experience. While the first half of the film benefits from strong direction, the latter part experiences a noticeable dip in quality and feels like I was watching a TV series, not a film. This inconsistency might make the story feel less connected and impactful.

Conclusion:

"Nedelja" is a film that offers a rich, immersive look into the life of Dzej Ramadanovski. Although it moves through its subject matter authentically and creatively, some aspects, like the inconsistent direction in the second half and the vague exploration of Dzej's career, hold back the film's brilliance. However, the movie's strong points in music and production design make it a good choice for fans of biographical dramas and those intrigued by Serbian culture and history.

Rating: 6/10.