Monument to Michael Jackson (2014) User Reviews

So painful to watch

[davidkaraivanov · 2/10 · 9 May 2020]

Totally worthless. Slow direction. The screenplay is awful. Don't lose your time watching this movie.

A Great Movie!

[sonja-brinkmann-art · 10/10 · 17 October 2014]

You get to love this movie! The hairdresser Marko is living in a small town in Serbia, which had its better times left far in the past and his wife is looking for a divorce, in hope to find better life abroad. One day an idea crosses his mind- while he was pondering about the empty statue pedestal in the center of the city. How about putting a statue of Michael Jakson, who was on tour these days? It would put life in the apathetic township and maybe save his marriage? But not everyone is found of the idea. Marko needs helping hands and a lots of enthusiasm, so the story takes its irrevocable course.

Darko Lungolovs movie has an recognizable original idea, makes you laugh and makes you cry, but without being too pretentious. The special Balkans attitude is brought to the audience very skillfully with lots of charm and humor. The cast is performing brilliant its bitter- sweet rolls. To put it briefly, a uncommon movie experience, an absolutely recommendable must-seen.

Michael Jackson would love it!

[Prof_Tatalovic · 9/10 · 29 March 2015]

Thanks to Cleveland IFF's program selection (becoming one of top national indie-art-house festivals), I was able to see last night Monument to Michael Jackson -The Movie (2014), directed by Serbian up-and-coming film artist Darko Lungulov. The picture has all the elements of East-European realism driven cinema, blending - dark comedy, drama, tragedy, and romance. Inspired by semi-true events, the film follows an ordinary man trapped in his personal life problems, and trying to make a change by - building a monument to "king of pop" in the heart of small Serbian town. He also hopes to win back his estranged wife. The protagonist's "insane" project soon becomes a target of conservative and crime related forces within his social surrounding: local corrupted city officials and Serbian rightist-anarchists. Will he give up or fight? The ending is totally unpredictable. The character interactions and drama (touch of dark comedy), use of music, and playful staging points to cinematic influences by Jiří Menzel, Boorman, Kusturica, Herzog Darko Lungulov shows again that you don't need a mega-budget to create very original dramatic content and tell very good stories about human condition, love, hate, and everything in between. If Michael Jackson was alive, I'm sure he would love it, too. Thumbs up!

You have to love this film!

[petarmatic · 8/10 · 19 November 2014]

I was waiting for a long time for a cute film with a humor coming from Serbia. I am glad that it finally came along.

First, plot is very cute and it will be endorsed by many. It is for the people to like it, and they probably will. The movie theater in Cinema City was sold out, and it will probably be for weeks to come.

Acting is excellent. Especially I always liked acting performed by Bjelogrlic and Karanovic and they are excellent again.

I strongly recommend this film. Two thumbs up! I especially liked one song which they played in the film. It is probably one of the best Yugoslav partisan songs ever composed. I hope youtube will not be angry if I borrow the link for you to listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Su6FQHAYg

Another great film from Darko Lungulov

[lynnchristia · 10/10 · 13 June 2020]

Loved this film. So funny ! - But I cried too. Plus beautiful directing and amazing locations. The actors were so good. I felt transported. It felt real. IMO there were a couple poignant moments of sadness, but dont want to share too much. But mostly, I think it was hilarious ! Those actors are amazing. The style of the film making and the humor is beautiful, down to earth, funny and very touching. Darko Lungulov is one of the best film makers out there today.

Add to your list of must see movies

[sandicbmb · 10/10 · 26 June 2015]

A powerful tragicomedy set in a time and place where hope is fading and heroes are gone. The absurd idea of building a monument to a world superstar in a small town in Serbia seemingly can solve not just the main character's personal problems but also create a better future for the community, but as the possibility of its success clashes with the interests of local tycoons, even such a distant hero as Michael Jackson can be subjected to daily politics. Although reality hits suddenly, there is a silver lining that maybe there is a hope and that the unlikely hero can bring the community together and possibly to a brighter future.

A great music selection gives a nostalgic tone throughout the movie and together with an excellent selection of locations managed to amplify an already strong sentiment. The cast was up to the task with remarkable performances by Boris Milivojevic and Dragan Bjelogrlic.

Overall, another significant movie by Darko Lungulov; two thumbs up!

Touching, Hilarious and Quietly Brilliant

[bojanasandic · 10/10 · 4 July 2015]

A touching and darkly hilarious film that captures the current zeitgeist in the Balkans and elevates it to the universal. The story is a hero's journey of director Darko Lungulov's protagonist, an unconventional hero that connects strongly with the audience in a story that is further brought to life with strong acting from its lead and the supporting cast, an attention to detail in the story, and a great (and very Yugonostalgic) soundtrack.

The substantial crowd at its Newport Beach Film Festival screening had a very strong positive reaction and the film stimulated a lot of discussion for the evening. A truly wonderful work you can't help but love, from a filmmaker whose next projects you'll want to look out for.

A Good Movie

[hyperlocalnavada · 24 June 2020]

Really, it is an interesting movie. I loved film making and also narration. In present sceanrio, many cities are crumbling..many cities are set ready to revamp..in a urban angle also story looks interesting. A common man who findng some ideas to overcome his personal issues/problems, at the same time he trying to find answer to society necessity also. yes, climax was good. I liked the protagnonist's mad idea. Lot of towns needed mad idea to its reselience. The music is good. beyond that Idelolgoy mirror, we can see the echoes of life. Being a barber, he is also searching solutions to live. His wife is also on same thought but diffrent route. Several cities, especially which cities built in the backdrop of industrialisation is in same scenario. a thought provoking movie. Congrats for both Director and Protogonist.