3 reviews
I felt the story of the movie was much more personal for the director than his first attempt and this time with all its technical flaws it did manage to construct a sufficiently coherent story and a meaningful message.
The main question this movie grapples with is: what is more difficult, staying or leaving? Leaving comes with its own set of problems like so many of refugees in this day and age discover and is so much discussed, however, the director is more interested in telling the story of those who were left behind to fend for themselves and to forever miss and idolize their older brothers and sisters who "made it" to the famed west and are now living a "good" or at least "cooler" version of life somewhere over the rainbow over there.
I almost felt he was talking about himself personally and that he had someone real in mind close to him who had left during those dark days of 90s. Also, being one of those who did go, I hear him loud and clear and the message touched the raw nerve somewhere deep inside me this time. I used to live practically spitting distance from the block the movie was shot at so that also certainly added to the impact - for me.
On that level, highest marks. On more superficial level, the story still lacked fluidity, still looks great, acting was much better and kudos for finally speaking in true Montenegrin accent.
The main question this movie grapples with is: what is more difficult, staying or leaving? Leaving comes with its own set of problems like so many of refugees in this day and age discover and is so much discussed, however, the director is more interested in telling the story of those who were left behind to fend for themselves and to forever miss and idolize their older brothers and sisters who "made it" to the famed west and are now living a "good" or at least "cooler" version of life somewhere over the rainbow over there.
I almost felt he was talking about himself personally and that he had someone real in mind close to him who had left during those dark days of 90s. Also, being one of those who did go, I hear him loud and clear and the message touched the raw nerve somewhere deep inside me this time. I used to live practically spitting distance from the block the movie was shot at so that also certainly added to the impact - for me.
On that level, highest marks. On more superficial level, the story still lacked fluidity, still looks great, acting was much better and kudos for finally speaking in true Montenegrin accent.
I saw this movie in 2014 Montenegro Film Festival, and I feel that some (user) critic are misleading a movie for what really is.
Montenegro does not have strong cinematographic industry. Every movie that comes out is a small victory for filmmakers, but this was defeat. First part of the movie is very problematic. There is a lack of style in writing. Every narration started with word "They say ", and after repeated 3-4 time it was very unnerve to listen; there was lack of writer's imagination. Ever present background cliché music is trying hard to make a play and atmosphere. There was a lot of problematic scenes without composition, unnecessary post-production lens flare, but the most letdown factors where scenario and acting.
The plot is weak, not so well elaborated story from start. Acting is problematic, but I understand why. Actors from Montenegro don't have experience in movies. They are good, and some great theater actors, but you can't act in the movie like in the theater.
At the end I experienced a movie like a mix of touristic video presentation and some communication commercial. Nikola Vukcevic received Montenegro Film Festival "golden mimosa" for "best director for innovation in film", and that how people pushes domestic cinematography, not knowing that at the same time they are ruin it.
Montenegro does not have strong cinematographic industry. Every movie that comes out is a small victory for filmmakers, but this was defeat. First part of the movie is very problematic. There is a lack of style in writing. Every narration started with word "They say ", and after repeated 3-4 time it was very unnerve to listen; there was lack of writer's imagination. Ever present background cliché music is trying hard to make a play and atmosphere. There was a lot of problematic scenes without composition, unnecessary post-production lens flare, but the most letdown factors where scenario and acting.
The plot is weak, not so well elaborated story from start. Acting is problematic, but I understand why. Actors from Montenegro don't have experience in movies. They are good, and some great theater actors, but you can't act in the movie like in the theater.
At the end I experienced a movie like a mix of touristic video presentation and some communication commercial. Nikola Vukcevic received Montenegro Film Festival "golden mimosa" for "best director for innovation in film", and that how people pushes domestic cinematography, not knowing that at the same time they are ruin it.