User reviews

This movie is made by the book of the same title, written by Dragoslav Mihajlovic. The story is told from Petrija's point of view, as an old woman's tale. She tells us about her life, about the three men she loved ,about loneliness, sadness, loss, disappointment and hope, all symbolically presented as human endurance and victory over tragedies of life. It's a biopic that happens in a small mining village in Serbia, before, during and after the Second World War. Although a tragic story, it doesn't leave us bitter or sad. There is no Hollywood-type of happy ending, but in the end we learn something from a person who survived through all the troubles, and never felt sorry for herself or searched for the way out. Although Petrija is a simple woman, uneducated, living in patriarchal pre-war Serbia, she grows through the movie and in the end we hear the old wise woman speaking of life. It is a story that I could easily imagine being told by my grandmother. The language is beautifully archaic which makes this realistic story even more believable. Actors are superb! Role of Petrija - the title character - is delivered by incredible Mirjana Karanovic in her debut role on film! I don't have enough words of praise, she is absolutely fantastic! "Petrijin Venac" is a wonderful film that should be seen by everyone!