Movie spotlight
Black marketeers Marko and Blacky manufacture and sell weapons to the Communist resistance in WWII Belgrade, living the good life along the way. Marko's surreal duplicity propels him up the ranks of the Communist Party, and he eventually abandons Blacky and steals his girlfriend. After a lengthy stay in a below-ground shelter, the couple reemerges during the Yugoslavian Civil War of the 1990s as Marko sees the opportunity to exploit the situation.
This epic Serbian film chronicles the lives of several characters from the outbreak of World War II through the Yugoslav Wars. The narrative follows a group of friends who are manipulated into hiding in a cellar for decades, believing the war never ended. Their experiences highlight themes of love, betrayal, and the absurdity of war and political manipulation.
Underground was met with significant critical acclaim, particularly for its ambition, visual style, and dark humor. While some found its length and complex narrative challenging, it was widely praised for its powerful anti-war message and Kusturica's distinctive directorial vision. It won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Praised for its wild, imaginative storytelling and visual flair.
Lauded for its potent, albeit controversial, anti-war sentiment.
Criticized by some for its sprawling length and occasionally overwhelming chaos.
Google audience: Audience reviews generally commend the film's originality, its powerful emotional impact, and the unique blend of humor and tragedy. Many appreciate its epic scope and the memorable characters, though some find the historical and political context dense.
Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival (1995).
The film's controversial depiction of history, particularly its portrayal of the anti-fascist struggle in Yugoslavia, led to significant political debate and criticism within Serbia and the former Yugoslavia.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
Though this is a bit hit and miss, and I do wonder just how many editions of the BBC's "'Allo 'Allo" director Emir Kusturica had watched, this is still quite an entertaining look at the evolution of Yugoslavia from it's wartime Chetnik phas...
**A black comedy made for a restricted audience.** The film follows much of Yugoslav history, from its occupation by the Germans during World War II to its dismemberment. This is done through a small handful of characters: Marko and Blac...