When Father Was Away on Business

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S R Although its not the most compelling film, it still has memorable moments that go a bit extreme at times. Regardless, a good capture of the Yugoslavian issues with political communism and how lives can be ruined out of pettiness. I enjoyed the fervor for the National Soccer team and the old lady singing in Hungarian at the wedding. I saw it for its accolades and Kusturica, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. It was on Youtube. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/25/23 Full Review Zoran D Original language is not Hungarian. It is Serbo-Croatian. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member One of my favorite movies of all time - top 3! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Kusturika's highly-acclaimed comedy-drama is actually rather contrived and overlong. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member The Cannes winner in 1985, this film tackles the toll a war takes on one family that has its own dysfunctions. A working knowledge of 20th century Yugolav history would help with comprehension, but it's still an effective story. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member I have to admit, films screened at the Cannes Film Festival usually tend to be very slow and artistic, but we rarely the screening of films that make you smile and cry. "Otac Na Sluzbenom Putu," told through the eyes of young Malik, is about a man sent to a labor camp for a remark about a political cartoon. This leads to his family's financial struggle and Malik's confusion about the reason for everyone's strange behavior since his father is 'only away on buisness.' Emir Kusturica's "Otac Na Sluzbenom Putu" is truly one of my five favorite films of all time because of its powerful message, its quirkiness, its ability to make you engaged, and on top of that, on a technical level, it is perfect. First, if you have not seen the movie, its title is the lies told to a young boy about his father's whereabouts who is actually imprisoned in a labor camp for speaking against the socialist government. The entire movie revolves around its aftermath and its impact on a young boy who begins to feel the consequences of the absence of his father, and the family's descent into poverty.In particular, Malik, the youngest son starts sleepwalking and has to see his mother cry ever single day. A boy this age should never have to experience this trauma inflicted on him by his government.Moreover, the film is quite peculiar in a sweet and original way.Specifically, the eldest son is an aspiring filmmaker who presents his animated films to his parents, but he must first gives his father a back massage by walking on his back. This movie pulls you in as fast as the first scene and when it throws you out at the credits you feel like your body has been tele-ported.For instance, there is a very tearjerker-esque scene in the film, which made almost bawl my eyes out. Other scenes, forced the biggest grin on my face. A film with that kind of power is unforgettable. Finally, on a technical level this movie is astounding. The cinematography is subtle yet visually-pleasing. The acting is so well-developed that you feel as if you truly are there especially Moreno de Bartolli's performance as the young Malik. The direction is a sum of every reason I have just praised this movie especially its power. Even the writing is original,deep, and moving. "Otac Na Sluzbenom Putu" is a must-see film classic that is very culturally significant and is one of my all-time five favorite films. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

When Father Was Away on Business

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