Perverse apology of Milosevic`s dictatorship

JAGODA U SUPERMARKETU

Director: Dusan Milic

Cast: Srdjan Todorovic, Branka Katic, Danilo Lazovic, Dubravka Mijatovic, Goran Radakovic, Mirjana Karanovic, Nikola Simic, Emir Kusturica.

JAGODA U SUPERMARKETU is all about ideology. The film focuses all its` energy in attempts to defamate globalization, which is fine. The only problem is that it was made in Serbia where poverty and spiritual decay rule. Also, in such a state, Milic`s film claims that love can overthrow any pain and that our only trouble is the fact that Americans are opening supermarkets.

Wrong! There is no love in decay. Decay is sickness not a state of grace.

When it comes to craft, which was supposed to be shaded by ideology,  let`s begin the analysis with screenwriting. Screenwriting is horrible. This film feels like a 1985 comedy that scored a BOMB in Maltin guide. The dialogue is vulgar and as many films before, it relies on vulgar displays of verbal wit.

Characters are flat and acting is weak since actors cannot create out of nothing. Also, Branka Katic, one of our major stars, is too old for this role, even though she was a typecast. Problem is, she belonged in this type ten years ago, in 1992. Now, its` 2002/2003 and she must move on. Aging is not her problem. It`s all about the director who picks the cast of main characters.

Milic`s staging and editing are neat. Editing and cinematography are top-notch when compared to Serbian standards. Of course, Emir Kusturica`s credit as producer means that this film was made on a budget. I hope Milic will rebound from this abyss because underneath piles of producer and festival inflicted compromise lays a talented craftsman that can make a solid picture given a good script.