Underground (1995) User Reviews

My interpretation. I'm sorry if I misunderstood

[igornveiga · 9/10 · 29 July 2022]

Comical, chaotic, patriotic, satirical, philosophical, questioning, critical, ironic and many other things, throughout the plot we perceive the different layers of the plot, which in turn, requires a certain abstraction from those who watch, because in general, the characters and lived situations are just abstractions or representations.

Divided into three acts, it tells the story from the beginning to the end of Yugoslavia, through WWII, the Cold War and the dissolution of the country. We have four characters, and here, I'm going to talk a little bit about what each one represents, according to what I understand.

Crni: The Partizans, who truly love the country, fight and die for it.

Natalija: Yugoslavia itself, which at a certain moment is with Germany represented by the Official, at a certain moment with the Rebels, and a good part with the Politicians.

Marko: The corrupt, politicians, generals who, in order to stay in power, commit the greatest atrocities and betray the trust of even their brothers, friends and family.

Ivan: The Yugoslav people, who, don't understand what's happening when the war starts, much less when the war ends and Yugoslavia ends. Perhaps symbolized as on crutches, due to the country's institutional fragility.

In the first act, we have the second world war, where Natalija has love for the first three characters (Crni and German Officer, Marko), representing, the passage of domination throughout history, Crni at one point tries to date Natalija, but who does date her? Is the officer, and after the war with the Allied victory ends up staying with Marko. Also, we have a memorable scene of Ivan hitting the officer and saying, "You think you're going to have her, you filthy pig."

In the second act, we have the cold war and also the longest act of the film, I believe due to the long 40 years of the period. Right now we have The characters trapped living in a basement forced to build weapons, living under sub-human conditions, which to me means, the curtain of communism in relation to capitalism. The guns, it represents, perhaps the arms race. Marko, the politician/general who profits and lives very well from this arms trade (portrayed in Lord of War) while leaving the people living in fear of enemy domination, closed to the world that exists beyond the basement.

In the last act, we have Ivan, totally weakened from having lived through so many wars, who discovers he is being deceived all the time about the basement and the lies told as a form of control, coming across the capitalist world for the first time, having a shock to discover that your country no longer exists. In fact, the doctor who talks to him, perhaps represents NATO.

The most interesting thing for me is that the film does not seek to point out right and wrong, villains and heroes, only to portray the facts in a raw and comic way.

Anyway, I hope that my interpretation of what this film tries to tell will help other cinephiles. I'm Brazilian so I may have misunderstood the film if that's the case forgive me, I did a quick read about Yugoslav history to write this review.

Exuberantly entertaining

[howard.schumann · 9/10 · 13 June 2005]

Many years ago I hitchhiked through Yugoslavia and found a diverse, down to earth people living in harmony. Many years later, after economic decline and the breakup of the Soviet Union, Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence and signaled the end of the country of Yugoslavia. Emir Kusturica's Underground is a bold recreation of the events that led to the breakup, spanning the years of the Nazi invasion of World War II to the present wars. The film has been called Serbian propaganda, self-indulgent, an anti-Communist tract, an anti-war tome, cynical, nihilistic, and it may be any or all of those, but primarily it is a work of art whose surreal vision and poetic language makes any search for a coherent message elusive.

Underground traces the lives of Marco (Miki Manojlovic) and Blacky (Lazar Ristovski), two charming but immoral black market profiteers who fight the Nazis while hiding in a massive cellar with friends and family where they produce and sell munitions. Marko and Blacky both compete for the attention of actress Natalija (Mirjana Jokovic) after Blacky's wife Vera (Mirjana Karanovic) dies in childbirth, but Natalija plays both of them off against the German soldier Franz ((Ernst Stotzner). After the war, perhaps as a metaphor for the constricting rule of President Tito, Marko fails to inform the underground community that the war has ended, keeping everyone in the dark so that he can support the Communist regime and make a profit selling arms to middlemen.

Natalija helps Marco keep up the charade when he makes Blacky into a venerated national hero even though he is still alive. The only innocent characters in the film are Marco's slow-witted brother Ivan (Slavko Stimac) and his pet monkey Sino who form a lifelong bond after German bombs destroy the zoo where he was working. It is only when Sino crawls into the barrel of a tank and fires its guns do the inhabitants of the cellar work their way toward freedom and, in the process of discovery, react like space travelers finding a new world. The new world, however, looks very much like the old and when brother turns against brother, the disintegration of Yugoslavia is complete.

Underground is an exuberantly entertaining three-hour carnival filled with wild characters, singing, drinking, and fighting and a brass band that keeps the energy high with Gypsy melodies. While it is a broad comedy that often descends into borderline lunacy, it is also a tragic vision of the betrayal of a people. Its final Felliniesque image of all the characters reunited on a piece of land drifting into the sea tells more than the obvious metaphor of a broken land and a broken people. It is a testament to the endurance, the acceptance of life, and the commitment to joy of the Yugoslav people and a passionate cry for their regeneration.

The Ethos, The Politics and The Movie

[bojan-g · 9/10 · 30 April 2007]

I have read through all the comments to date and I agree with some of the positive ones but also with some of the negative comments to an extent. Here is my take on Underground: Firstly, if you look at the original title of the script (done by Kovacevic, NOT Kusturica) which is also given as the opening sequence line, you see that it is an allegory (the title is Once Upon A Time There Was A Country), so I don't see the point of calling the film historically wrong... It was never meant to be historically right, otherwise it would have to leave out all the consequent exaggerations so typical of Kusturica - the length of time spent in the basement, the more theatrical than movie-like acting, the visual motives and so on. This maybe a bit difficult to accept as there are some documentary sequences in there, but I see it more of a context building element than an attempt to mislead the viewer about Yugoslav history.

Secondly, people seem to like the first third of the movie for its humorous elements and I guess because they can follow the plot easily (the whole WW2 theme in the exposition, I must admit, I enjoyed as well)... The second third starts as the Allies bomb Belgrade and kill more than the Nazis did 4 years before that, so maybe the Western people are inclined to disagree with the rest based on this line, I don't know...

Thirdly, I don't see where the Serbian propaganda element kicks in ... If you think the documentary sequences of Slovenia and Croatia welcoming the Germans with glee, and Serbia fiendishly being left out, is done purposefully for slandering the Croats and Slovenes, I hate to disappoint you, but Serbia saw no such celebration, so there is nothing of that kind to show... Instead the plot balances this out as it is set in Belgrade, where the supposed wartime "heroes" of the story (never ethnically identified as Serbs) collaborate with the occupation forces when they have a personal interest in doing so, and vice versa. Again, historically there were antifascist elements throughout Yugoslavia, but it's also a fact that Croatia became a fascist independent state at the time.

Somebody mentioned the Muslim element as being totally absent, and I agree with that to an extent, but Kovacevic's novel was finished in early 1991, before the war in Bosnia escalated into what we now know. And, besides, Muslims were not considered a nation but a religious group until the end of WW2, and since there is no mention of the Caholic or Orthodox church in the movie, I don't see why there should be mention of Muslims.

I understand most Wasterners consider communism to be the Soviet kind everywhere, but I saw this movie as a commentary remark on the inequality of the proclaimed and the apparent, not of communism or Yugoslav socialism, or any -ism for that matter. Petar Popara is proclaimed an electrician, Marko Dren a poet, neither one a real politician, but both of them high ranking communists. They are petty criminals before the war who only get into the party ranks to continue their criminal activities when the war starts. Marko, the educated one, continues his criminal activities by using slave labor of the basement inhabitants to make and traffic guns after the war. He is a typical opportunist since he does this for personal gain, lies to the wretched people below that they have to do it for the war effort, and keeps Petar Popara inside in order to be with Natalija up above. This is just what makes the characters and relationships so complex, and in my opinion, the reason why this movie has a universal story. If any propaganda is shown, this one is the anti-war, anti-politician kind.

Back to the story, I especially liked the Old Man character as he is the insider. He is the only one who knows what's going on above, yet stays in the basement, he is Marko's accomplice, and he "steals time" by winding the clock backwards, which as I see it, is a comment on the Balkans always lagging behind the rest of the world based on misguided trust in people who claim to be the saviors and are "on your side." The basement youth is totally oblivious to the world, as exemplified by Jovan, Petar's son, born on the first day of the basement exodus, with the side story of going out with his dad to fight the "goddamn Germans" and not knowing the difference between the sun and the moon, based on his fathers stories and drawings(myths and realities of history as told by the idolized wise).

As for the movie being co-produced by the Serbian Broadcasting Company, I can safely say that Serbian cinematography and movie productions in the nineties were definitely not purely regime-oriented. How else would you explain RTS having co-produced Pretty Villages - Pretty Flames? Based on all this, I can't say that this movie is even in the same league as Tanovic's Oscar Winner No Man's Land someone recommended instead of Underground. That movie is a simple story of civil war told in a simple good guys - bad buys way. If I were as cynical as some other reviewers here, I could say that it was Muslim propaganda, as many other US produced movies on the Bosnian war subject, as it openly gives the impression that Serbs are the root of all evil, they are stupid and only do things if you hold a gun to their head, whereas Bosnian Muslims are fun-loving pro-Western dudes forced into waging war, but would rather listen to the Rolling Stones, and they are so altruistic that they would even help the enemy in the ditch. Talk about historically wrong...

Anyway, I gave the film a 9.

Brilliant Cracking Thriller!!......

[sebbastiann · 10/10 · 23 December 2004]

Those who have seen "Underground" have probably noticed that we are not watching one film but a collection of at least 10 films in one single masterpiece!!

I watched with great enthusiasm the work of Kusturica after "Underground" in films like "Arizona Dream" or "Black Cat White Cat" films which prove to be more elaborate and "smoother" in terms of direction (brilliant works as well!!) but none of these films could ever equal the "nerve" and strength of a very young Kusturica at his best! One could see the passion and boldness that is at stake in this motion picture. It's as if he gambled his own life doing "Underground"

How else can you describe this work of art if not a mixture of devilish and holy images that take the shape of a flawless piece of theater-dance!!

The actors speak, dance and create (more than interpret) with a vigor rarely found outside the Balkan Circle!

In terms of theatrical aesthetics the film incorporates Stanislavski( realism at its best), Brecht (at certain points the actors step out of their roles and mock at themselves) and Artaud (they are flames more than humans)

Needless to say more!

Shocking, raw, heart-breaking!!

One of the most beautiful I have ever seen! 10/10

Underappreciated

[vanflesher · 28 August 2001]

If you get a chance to see this projected on a sheet in an unheated high school gym with hard chairs and flat Pepsi, DON'T MISS IT. You can get a VHS copy--DO IT. (Unfortunately, there's no DVD ... YET, right, New Yorker Films?) I walked into an art house theatre in Nashville, Tennessee, no reviews, no word of mouth, just this poster of a woman wearing a red dress, her arms wrapped around the barrel of a tank's cannon. I came out one second (or was it two and half hours?) later a different person. People and movies are imperfect things--this one is messy, joyous, horrific, ecstatic, beat, danceable, romantic, provocative, drunk--this movie tastes like Slivovitz and sounds like Heaven's carnival. And there's a monkey. Once there was a country ...

Absolutely Brilliant Film

[inframan · 10/10 · 18 July 1999]

When I first saw this movie on the indie channel, I taped it. I immediately watched it again, totally stunned by the extent of energy, imagination, ideas, images with which I was being blasted. Talk about a universal masterpiece! This movie should be required viewing on every screen, large & small in the US. We Americans lead such narrow sheltered lives; we are so eager to see things in black & white, to have our opinions dictated by columnists & newscasters. This movie should take off a few blinders. On the other hand, people will still opt for easy cartoon ideologies over the indisputable truth about the ferocious & predatory predilections of all "sides" of humanity. Thank god for visionary humorists like Kusturica.

ultimate film for YU-nostalgics

[slkrucican · 10/10 · 19 February 2006]

Kusturica believes (and so do I) that countries don't fall apart but are actively ripped apart. So if you want to see a short summary of Yugoslav history 1941-92 and an artist's view of why it fell apart, this movie will tell you more about it than many political books or articles. Almost everybody is portrayed with varying degrees of guilt: the communists for lying to the people, Germany for bombing Belgrade in 1941, Germany again for supplying the weapons in 1991, all nationalists... Please do not be surprised if you read negative reviews for Kusturica has stepped on many folks' feet. Invest some time, it's one of the best films in the past 15-20 years. BTW: The soundtrack is excellent, go listen.

For Eternity

[ycornu-1 · 10/10 · 31 January 2005]

Underground is The Film, my favorite... And nobody hasn't written any greeting comments in 2005. So, I'm happy to be the first and I wish the best year 2005 to all the Underground's fans. If you never had this chance to see the long version (5 hours) of the film, give your priority, this year, to watch it. After this, the Palme d'Or version will feel you so short!!! If you live in Paris, I can help you to discover the complete Chef d'Oeuvre.

Therefore, I understand that the film could be criticized on the political depths. But it is so easy to make movies without any involvement. Kusturica worked for 3 years on the film and involved himself on the content. But the film treatment is not only about Balkans war, but mainly about human ferocity and betrayment. Speaking Cinema, there is no film controlling so well aestheticism, scenario, actors, music and creativity. Emir did it and I am sorry that some arrogant journalists killed the film, getting it off the Cinema theaters without the popular success that Underground deserved.

Perfect

[pickle-7 · 10/10 · 24 February 1999]

I rarely weep during movies. At the end of this film, however, I began to weep bitterly--not because I was saddened by the story (although it is sad), but because I knew that I could never hope to create anything as beautiful as the movie I had just watched. It is this sort of film that both inspires and frightens aspiring film makers.

One of the two movies ever that made me cry

[XIOMANGER · 10/10 · 29 October 2004]

The scene when after all the pain and suffering the stuttering younger brother finally finds his old ape friend is the most poignant scene in all movie history. I am fully aware that that statement might be interpreted as national bias, but it isn't.

What can be said about this movie that hasn't been said already? That a young upstart Balkan nation gambled away the only chance it ever had after WWI of creating a peaceful, stable, safe and prosperous state, opting instead for a "Yugoslavia". That cowards and opportunists always ruled the show over decent people. That these decent people were always great heroes when it came time to fight the enemies from without, but legendary cowards and naive sheep when it came time to fight the enemy within own ranks. That a bunch of criminals ruled a communist Yugoslavia for 45 years, keeping everyone in he dark as to what was actually happening in the world. That when the cat finally came out of the bag, the people in the basement proved catastrophically inept at handling the new situation and that that only leads to more pain and suffering. And all of it, the pain, the humiliation, the bitterness, comes down to, boils into, condenses itself into that one scene where the two old friends meet. And one young lad at that time lacking the luxury of living in a normal country opened his floodgates.

There is so much to take in while watching the movie. It is nothing short of a complete history of a deceased nation of brotherhood and unity, all of it told in an allegorical style. All of which I have described in the previous chapter. The music and visual style of the movie is breathtaking. There is not a second of the movie that is not entertaining or engaging. Not a second that is not significant or out of place. And the movie is full of life, for whatever happens, life goes on. With every pain there is joy and vice versa.

But this life is decidedly underscored by the forces of death and evil. The full extent of betrayal becomes apparent towards the end, initially being painted with naive humor. In this betrayal an entire country ad an entire people were sacrificed. The only thing that is left is memory. Memory of those one has lost during the dark years of Nazi invasion, the dark years of communism and the dark years of the recent wars. Memory of a past time, with its own rules, characters and experiences. One which humanity must never forget.

Rating 10/10

Scale: 10 MASTERPIECE, 9 Excellent, 8 Good, 7 OK, 6 Adequate, 5 Average, 4 Mediocre, 3 Poor, 2 Bad, 1 HORRIBLE

An ABSOLUTELY Brilliant Film...

[A Scanner Darkly · 10/10 · 8 March 2002]

Underground is without a doubt, one of the very finest movies to emerge from Europe. After seeing Underground, one realizes that one has just witnessed cinema at one of it's highest levels. This movie is what "The Tin Drum" was supposed to be, and so much more. Absolutely Brilliant on all levels.

A numb theatrical ride in an another world.

[spegi89 · 6/10 · 3 August 2009]

Underground is certainly a unique piece of film-making. It explores history of Yugoslavia from WWII to early 90s.

The film is through its long runtime a surreal fairytale filled with absurd and dreamlike scenes. Because of its unrealistic characters and events the film lacks compassion. Caring for the characters seems impossible regardless of the horrible events they have to go through. The Film is like numb theatrical ride in an another world.

Though the film has some unforgettable scenes. Directing and cinematography are both great and the actors deliver their roles with remarkable passion. I just don't think the comedic script can provide enough laughs about war to be worth it.

Distortion of historical facts

[vbb76 · 1/10 · 14 August 2006]

Despite my respect for Kusturica's great previous pieces of art such as "Do You Remember Dolly Bell?" or "When Father Was Away on Business", I find the movie "Underground" as a very irritating distortion of historical facts and politically motivated in favor of the Serbian anti-Titoist 'chetnik' ultra-nationalism which Kusturica supports (he left his home-city Sarajevo for Belgrade and sided with the ultra-nationalist policy during the Bosnian war)

Kusturica's overly exaggerated metaphoric 'scary story' about former Tito's Yugoslavia depicting a life of people being kept in isolation and total ignorance about the rest of the world for a half century, manipulated by an "evil-commie" leader may be an appropriate metaphor for the former Enver Hoxha's Stalinist Albania and the Eastern Bloc countries such as USSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany etc. but certainly NOT for Tito's Yugoslavia which was NOT a part of the Eastern bloc (since the conflict with Stalin in 1948). Yugoslavia under Tito was a leading founder of the Non-Alligned Movement (not East, not West) highly opened to the rest of the world in many aspects (arts, fashion, music, film etc.) The citizens under Tito enjoyed a freedom of movement which gave them opportunity to learn and experience the rest of the world and there was a free exchange of goods and ideas with the rest of the world (expecially with the West who helped Yugoslavia to some extent as a buffer zone to the former USSR and it's satellite countries)

Speaking of Kusturica himself, during that SAME socialist Yugoslavia that he criticizes and ridicules so strongly in this movie, he was actually a highly successful and respected movie director and he was involved in the Sarajevo rock'n'roll and art urban subculture (such as the crazy Sarajevo "New Primitivsm" movement which was related to punk rock and the new wave for example, then the 'Monthy Pythonic' "Surrealist" movement etc.). He is the last person from whom I could expect such cynicism and so bitter discontent for that historical period. Taking all this into account Kusturica is very dishonest with this movie and I must say ungrateful.

The pseudo-Orwellian allegories in this movie may only fool ignorant viewers looking for some "heartbreaking story about people suffering under the 'communist Inquisition' somewhere there in the east". I strongly believe that every viewer well informed about the history would agree with this.

However, as a person who lives in this Balkan region, in this movie I would agree with the way the foreign interventionist policy was presented: selfish, cynical, greedy, using the complicated Balkan situation for own geopolitical purpose, taking or switching sides in the Balkan conflicts, playing "divide and rule" etc.

Amazing

[castmastr · 27 February 2004]

While attending college in Boston a Croatian friend of mine told me about this movie. I rented it a few days later, and let me say this is one of the greatest foreign films I have seen. While the historical and political substance of the film is largely missed by me, the story is strong enough that I connected emotionally with it. The humor of the film is very refreshing, being used to war films that are too heavy or dull to make me laugh. I recommend this film to anyone who appreciates a well told story. You will be rewarded with a beautiful picture.

It puts you right there, inside the circulus viciosus

[ivona021 · 10/10 · 9 December 2003]

For anyone interested in Kusturica's work, this is my favorite. Don't get discouraged because it's set someplace you never traveled before... People are all alike. You'll recognize the patterns easily.

It tells a story how come a country which appeared to everyone inside as an uniquely ideal world (they aren't aware where they are) could abruptly dissolve in a really, really bloody war the moment that the outside interferes... And more then that: it lets you LIVE AND LEARN through this experience yourself! It tells what time heals, or can't heal. It tells a lot about people, and about powers of mass deception, and examines personal issues arising from such a condition. It talks about a different set of values, which can be understood only in a specific situation. It makes you understand the Balkans as well as any other region held together by a weird, claustrophobic mix of hundreds of years of love and war on a small piece of land, a thread so fragile that it would break if love gets any more removed from war then it ever was.

The sense of time in this movie is marvelously directed, and the reason it starts as an action flick but then at one point starts to drag towards the end is... because there is always, always a slowdown just before the next big boom/collapse; don't fight this feeling or you'll miss on the experience.

It is like the Truman Show without the Hollywood ending.

The movie is based on a play from Serbian master playwright, Dusan Kovacevic. Anything based on his plays is well worth the watching.

Perfection on celluloid

[Angeneer · 10/10 · 2 July 1999]

If for any reason you haven't seen this masterpiece, do it now. You won't regret it. Especially if you are from the Balkan region, it is a must. The story of the last 50 years in Yugoslavia in 3 hours in a film only Emir Kusturica can do. Some scenes simply stick in your mind and cannot get out. Extremely powerful and not at all tiring, despite its duration. Definitely in my personal top 10.

Stays with you

[pixar-1 · 10/10 · 30 July 2003]

Despite I saw it only once, and it was in '95 (I think) when it ran in theatres - I can still remember it vividly and the feelings it stirred. Can only think of a few more with such "powers" - maybe Cinema Paradiso is in the same league.

It's truly great, it takes you on a journey together with these people and you live it with them, completely believable despite the absurdities! The photo is beautiful, the music is nothing short of wonderful. No way I can rate this below 10....

Challenging, beautiful, ridiculous, funny, deeply profound and stoically alive.

[samferolfilms · 10/10 · 13 July 2010]

Underground by Emir Kusturica is absolutely phenomenal. Blending 60 years of history, wars, politics, ideas, lies and tragedy into 170mins with, irony, vibrancy, music, life, poetry and beauty whilst still retaining a genuine optimism in the face of it all.

Effortlessly. An entertaining dark comedy that weaves how generations of people get screwed over by the corruption of their politicians and their own friends out for selfish gain. So much density of politics and history compressed into such a personal story expressed through actual war footage, real political figures, self reflexivity, theatricality, music and a totally relentless narrative that isn't afraid to switch up from comedy to tragedy from one scene to the next without pandering to formulaic structure in an effort to satisfy an audience.

The best movie of my life!

[peytoo · 10/10 · 21 August 2008]

Having watched around 4000 movies so far, this has been my all-time best cinematic experience since its release date in 1995. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch Kusturica's chef d'oeuvre in Cannes Film Festival. The story of wartime profiteers and victims stretching five decades since the early days of WWII to Balkan genocide in early 1990s is a surreal, hypnotic visual treat for which no words of commendation are adequate. The movie looks and feels like having been made by some superior intelligence which transcends human understanding and imagination. Superbly realized story invites repeated viewings to absorb all that writers Dusan Kovacevic and Emir Kusturica have put into it. A true masterpiece. Don't miss this one.

Boom boom boom! Masterpiece.

[pipeoxide · 10/10 · 1 December 2002]

There are enough comments posted to gain an objective view on Kusturica's "Underground". I just want to say how important and epic this film is, beyond the obvious cinematic feats...especially to the Balkans. Its dialogue, its music, its protagonists and antagonists breathe with Balkan humor/ferocity. A classic. Unforgettable and heart-rendering -- but only if you can make a connection, not a movie for the (Western) masses. Even more so, the performances shine and stick in your mind. Ristovksi and Manojlovic especially! And the gypsy orchestra...Kalashnikov...the dreamy, magical realism...the last scenes? Classic! Bravo bratia Srbi!

Ten movies in one...

[Thanos_Alfie · 7/10 · 18 March 2015]

"Underground" is a drama movie in which we watch an underground weapons manufacturer in Belgrade during the World War II and a black marketeer who did not tell to partisans that the war is over and they continue to produce weapons. After some years they break out from this underground factory just to convince themselves that the war is not over.

I liked this movie because of the different kind of plot which I found very interesting. The direction of this movie was equally good and is made by Emir Kusturica who did great job on it. About the interpretation I liked the interpretation of Predrag Manojlovic who played as Marko. Another interpretations that I liked were Lazar Ristovski's who played as Crni and Mirjana Jokovic who played as Natalija.

Finally I have to say that "Underground" is a nice movie to watch because it combines very well drama and war with comedy in such a different and beautiful way that makes this movie not only interesting but a masterpiece of its kind.

It IS a great movie

[vvane_14 · 10/10 · 16 May 2005]

Although I understand perfectly why some people would not like it. It is a little long and if you try to make sense of it you may be very frustrated... my advise is just to watch it and let the story flow... I have read that someone in this forum says there is no main character... I believe the main character is Yugoslavia, and I am a Mexican, living in Mexico, you don't need to be European to understand about the terror of the war and to feel sympathy for the people that have lived the war and the uncertainty of a situation that doesn't seem to have an end. May very well be a cultural thing, I just feel this is a great movie, funny at times, tragic at other times that shows the miseries of the human weakness. My two cents.

If only he had stuck to making films, and not gone into politics...

[buiger · 6/10 · 21 January 2006]

This is a very difficult movie to judge. It is definitely a very powerful film, well photographed, acted and directed, but in my opinion also with some major flaws. The main problem is that Kusturica cannot make up his mind whose side he is on, and this, for someone coming from the ex-Yugoslavia and who has witnessed the happenings, is unbelievable. Apart from being nostalgic for the "good old days when all the people where united, happy and carefree" (even though he does in a way, condemn communism), at the same time he is condoning almost every atrocity by telling us that "it is simply human nature"... For me, this is not enough.

When I heard during the civil war that he had left Sarajevo for Belgrade I found it to be strange, but only before having seen this film. Now all is clear. For a great secular Muslim director from Sarajevo (that is at least what he was before he became a Serb nationalist...) to make a Serbian propaganda film in the middle of a civil war involving these two ethnic groups, is simply too much. To make it even worse, in the film there is also a scene at the beginning (subtle but definitely there) where he pictures the entire Slovenian and Croatian nations as blatantly pro-Nazi, which is not only historically incorrect, but simply offensive to those peoples (after all, he seems to forget that his beloved Tito who fought and finally defeated the Nazis in Yugoslavia during WW2 was not a Serb, but a Croat). Last but not least, he conveniently forgets in the film how and why the whole mess in Yugoslavia started in 1991...

Kusturica is definitely a great artist (or should I say was), but since he has politicized himself, I am sorry to say, he has lost it. Trust the French to be the only ones to give him an award for this film.

crap

[JocMet · 1/10 · 16 September 1999]

I don't know why everybody likes this film. At least in the user ratings there were more people rating it as awful (1) than people who gave it at least an 8.

The point of the story is obvious: Kusturica wants to give an account of the history of his people since the 40ies. He puts this into the form of a satire showing people living underground without realizing what is going on "on the surface" - in real life. Conflicts resulting and consequences (nation falling apart, war) are unavoidable. Good idea for the story, so far.

But what a horrible show does Kusturica make of this! Pointlessly the story drags on forever from one set to the other all of which want to show us something important, something that can only be understood metaphorically or at second sight. The whole plot is split up into several long-drawn-out parts, the last one of which ends in Berlin - nobody knows why. (Does Kusturica perhaps think about that fascist Ex-Yugoslav war spreading over the rest of Europe, eventually?) The two protagonists are being shown in a justifiable - let alone sympathetic manner - pretending to everybody: "Well it is a tragedy with our people and our history, but that is the way we are...this is our way of life - we cannot help it..." By and by you feel like wanting to shout out loud (if only Kusturica sat in the cinema) "FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, COME TO THE POINT, PLEASE..!" In fact, if this movie really shows something the basic mentality of the Ex-Yugoslav people - why do we still keep asking ourselves why they don't get their acts together to come to terms with their political problems?!

This film really got on my nerves. If I had not been stuck in this crammed cinema right in the middle of narrow rows of seats I would not have finished watching it. And then it had overlength whereas I had given up hope that the plot would become any better by the middle of it... The pictures themselves are brilliant, it is true, they recall Fellini's films - yet only in that point. But then again, there was that terrible disharmonious brass music with it, starting in regular, unpleasant intervals.

Did I get anything wrong? I felt like being talked at by a mad preacher trying to convince me with his distorted, pathetic view of god and the world, instead of seeing a good and entertaining story, with a well written plot with some - at least some - suspense in it.

This is one of the most embarrassing films that I have ever seen. I give it a 1 (awful) in the rating. But only because there is no 0 to be given. If a director knows how to make a good picture but does not find a way to express his views in a good story he should either keep on trying until he can or do documentaries instead of political satires.

This is the most splendid visual experince of my life.........

[peyman_toossy · 30 December 2001]

I first saw "UNDERGROUND" in 1996 about a year after it was shown

at Cannes and winning the highest honor in the world of cinema; Palme D'or was the tiniest honor that could be awarded to this eternal masterpiece ..... I have seen over 3000 movies so far and keep on watching at least 10 every week but nothing can ever replace even the memory of this unique work of art.....

I have seen all Kusturica's movies; His touch is so magical and his technique so unique, that I dare to say noone can't even imagine to be able to make another better movie And it'll remain the best movie of my life ... ETHEREAL AND OUT OF THIS WORLD .......