Underground (DVD)

...had a chance to see Underground sometime in 1997.
He came from nowhere in late 80's with his widely recognised modern tale "Time of the Gypsies",
and permanently left mark in late European cinematography. That film overtaken me instantly, and made me to watch it again and again, because every time it was something new I discovered about the story.
Underground is different film from anything you have seen so far. It ...
...start producing weapons in large underground cellar beneath capital walls.
Their creativity and survival instinct already give them hero statuses, but only one, Marko has connection with outside world. Marko becomes a lover of Blacky's ex girlfriend, Natalija and they soon benefit from profit by selling weapon to resistance.
War finishes but Blacky and people in the cellar remain there convinced that war is still raging in outside world. ... more

I was already fan of Emir Kusturica before had a chance to see Underground sometime in 1997.
He came from nowhere in late 80's with his widely recognised modern tale "Time of the Gypsies",
and permanently left mark in late European cinematography. That film overtaken me instantly, and made me to watch it again and again, because every time it was something new I discovered about the story.
Underground is different film from anything you have seen so far. It is also modern tale but set in world of cruel war reality, betrayal, love and irony. It is a drama but also a comedy in same time and you'll have mixed feelings throughout the film. There are also tearful scenes when you really feel for characters.
Story begins on first day of WWII in Belgrade on 06/04/1941 when Nazis bomb capital of Yugoslavia.
There are two characters in main plan, Marko and Blacky(Crni) and they seem to be real survivors in this apocalyptic world of war madness. They bring hope to the people around them by stealing from Nazis and start producing weapons in large underground cellar beneath capital walls.
Their creativity and survival instinct already give them hero statuses, but only one, Marko has connection with outside world. Marko becomes a lover of Blacky's ex girlfriend, Natalija and they soon benefit from profit by selling weapon to resistance.
War finishes but Blacky and people in the cellar remain there convinced that war is still raging in outside world. Marko soon becomes national hero, well acclaimed and powerful communist part leader, while Blacky only remains as one of those who gave life for freedom.
Again, Marko knows how to make profit on his old friend's fame.
Until the end of the film there are some bizarre scenes, and as the story starting to unveil, viewer start to realise that two main characters, Marko and Blacky are representation of people of Balkan in some way.
One, naive and passionate, emotional and genuine man who id ready to give life for his beloved ones and true friendship
Another one, hypocrite, but with constant clash between good and evil inside his mind., trying to cover his real personality and ready to compromise everything in order to achieve his aims.
Final scenes of the film gives some straight answers to the viewers who might asked themselves before
"What was wrong with this people to ruin this beautiful country on Balkan?"
Kusturica gives this answer in almost 3 hours of Underground. Not that he only tries to explain what is wrong with those people, but also argues why this people are wrong, where they lose their senses and how easy human mind goes into wrong direction, ready to forget what is worth and precious in our lives.
Underground doesn't put blame on anyone for what have actually happen. It does not distinguish between right and wrong, but gives clear reality on the plate, and it is up to you to choose.
Film is irony of people and human existence.

Another great asset to the film is music. Internationally acclaimed author Goran Bregovic is regular guest on all Kusturica's films, and without his music, those films will not be complete.
Authentic sound of Balkan gypsy brass music in Bregovic's arrangements is appalling to everyone who likes this sort of music. Even to those who have never experienced something similar could be starting point to discover this aspect of ethno sounds. More importantly is that Bregovic stands out from crowd and tells the truth of what real ethno music is from this part of the world, giving strong direct slap in the face of growing turbo-folk-pop-dance or whatever you like to call it.

To make a conclusion about Underground is not an easy task. I have seen it probably 10 times so far and always enjoy it as first time. Every time I would think about it for the rest of the day, and really admire originality of the story. Bear in mind that there is a time-span of more than 50 years in this story. It is more like modern epic story, and characters get older throughout the film, you follow few parallel stories, which are all connected somehow.
Final scenes are climax and relief, you feel sorrow and delight in same time, you are happy with the end but not so sure if you really wanted to all finish like this.
But then, it is based on reality, cruelty and gruesome life so you have to accept it.

If I could give marks for originality, I would not hesitate to give 11 out of 10 for this story.
In some segments looks like Forrest Gump, and if you liked this film, Underground will certainly find the way to your heart and take valuable place in your DVD collection. 

...less