Underground (1995)

Both a tragedy and a comedy this movie is a must see for everyone who likes this genre. I've seen it a dozen times and it still makes me laugh out loud. The casting is really well done. The plot turn is surprising. And the gypsy style music of Goran Bregovic is lifting the movie to a higher level. After seeing this movie I became a big fan of his complete oeuvre as well as of the music by Goran Bregovic. I play it all the time, and it's perfect music for weddings and funerals (as one of his album is called).

Extraordinary. Profound. Profusely emotional. Is this one of the greatest films ever made? A special film. This is a film of absolute madness, immense energy. There are so many memorable moments here; it would almost do a disservice to pick a few out, but the first scene may be the special one, as , when it appeared, I knew this was going to be special; this scene was the first fight scene, where the music gets louder; completely electrifying; insanity; free filmmaking. There are of lot of seemingly similarities to the great; it evokes Fellini; it meanders in a special way, and has a magic, and energy, of the great Fellini. It also seems to bring into question Zulawski; the great, pure energy he brought; the insane energy he brought to his films, and actors; it is like a synergy of both, the double characters, and the concept of a film within a film. It reminded me at times, of L'Amour braque. It is truly strange, and surreal, at times; but so energetic, it really is unbelievable. The atmosphere...transports you to the realm of Serbia; utterly incredible. The news segments scenes are absolutely genius. This is rare filmmaking; pure filmmaking. (The trumpets are utterly unforgettable) I simply cannot believe this films is not more well known; after all, it did win Palme d'Or! I implore you to watch this; this is a truly special film.

Well,I didn't know anything before about the history of Serbia and Yoguslavia and I never thought I would write about Underground ... Until before the last five minutes of the movies. The movie starts with a band playing music and two obviously hyperactive men dancing with the music , which sets the tone for the movie being comedy which is unconventional being a movie set during war. The events continue with a tone of surreal comedy evolving all along with a weak streak of drama which became extremely obvious towards the end concluding a perfect Black Comedy or tragicomedy. I won't talk much about the movie itself, just some random thoughts: Emir Kusturica set most of the underground scenes in a post-apocalyptic theme that reminded me of Jeunet's City of the lost children & Delicatessen. With the movie reaching towards the dark end and Events becoming more tragic , I felt nostalgic to the cheerful music and dancing in the cheerful days of Yoguslavia, So I am thinking about the Serbian people and people who lived during these times they would relate even more and more to the movie of course . and the last scene with the people dancing and singing in a piece of land separating from the rest to be lost in the sea , What a visual masterpiece !! This scene is what made write a review because I was overwhelmed by the greatness of the final scene. A Great movie and a masterful documentation for a tragic era and a lesser known part of the history of Humanity.

As a war-comedy movie, the movie did more than just achieving its original goal of showing a depiction of war and making people laugh at the same time. I think the movie, using its long duration at its best, really exerts control on what the audience feel when seeing it. This movie can be very funny when it is in the comedic scenes; with very black comedic satire laughing at the hypocrisy of war. But it can also be stoic and ironic when it shows the scenes of war tearing a country apart. It can reach the sorrowful depths, as when the movie shows Ivan looking for Soni, or when Crni looks at the burning wheelchair. The acting is quite nice, although I think that the movie lacks so much in story telling, possibly due to overly extensive editing.