Restitucija, ili, San i java stare garde

Time was that the favorite theme for Communist country films was how bad it used to be under the Royalists. Now seems to be time to hear how bad it was under Communism. I can't see that lasting into Putin's expansion.

In the meantime, we get this pleasant enough Serbian account of the nation's restitution policy where eighty-five year old dispossessed musician Milan Kovacevic becomes heir to the Summer Home estate where he grew up. Most everyone is quite genial about that - relatives, the magistrate freshly relocated from the city and old associates who remember his performances before he moved on, touring Europe with a band playing (American) popular favorites. Malcontent in-laws who have benefited from his absence and the investor who paid to use the land for another nine years are grumpy but it's all going to end well, particularly since a one-time girl vocalist from the old days has taken an interest in his situation. There's also the question of the homeless granddaughter's family.

Most interesting sequence is the protracted tour of the old mansion now derelict, which the lead wants to turn into a music academy, as he identifies areas associated with his powerful father's activities.

Cast and crew are unknown to us but are personable enough. Octogenarian lead Kovacevic is at ease in his character and even breaks out in a plausible "As Time Goes By" in English, accompanying himself on the piano. The instrument dominates the score. Subdued colour and location filming set the tone. There's even a close up of the local pasta specialty served up in a ceramic dish. The general all is well feeling however is not all that convincing.