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Guardians of the Formula

Original title: Cuvari formule
  • 2023
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
Guardians of the Formula (2023)
Trailer for new film by Dragan Bjelogrlic
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
24 Photos
BiographyDramaHistoryThriller

In 1958, during the Cold War, two scientists, two worlds, and two ideologies faced a race for survival at the Vinca Scientific Institute near Belgrade.In 1958, during the Cold War, two scientists, two worlds, and two ideologies faced a race for survival at the Vinca Scientific Institute near Belgrade.In 1958, during the Cold War, two scientists, two worlds, and two ideologies faced a race for survival at the Vinca Scientific Institute near Belgrade.

  • Director
    • Dragan Bjelogrlic
  • Writers
    • Dragan Bjelogrlic
    • Goran Milasinovic
    • Vuk Rsumovic
  • Stars
    • Alexis Manenti
    • Radivoje Bukvic
    • Lionel Abelanski
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    4.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dragan Bjelogrlic
    • Writers
      • Dragan Bjelogrlic
      • Goran Milasinovic
      • Vuk Rsumovic
    • Stars
      • Alexis Manenti
      • Radivoje Bukvic
      • Lionel Abelanski
    • 16User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 33 wins & 25 nominations total

    Videos1

    Guardians of the formula - Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Guardians of the formula - Official Trailer

    Photos24

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    + 18
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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Alexis Manenti
    Alexis Manenti
    • Professor Georges Maté
    Radivoje Bukvic
    Radivoje Bukvic
    • Professor Dragoslav Popovic
    Lionel Abelanski
    Lionel Abelanski
    • Professor Jame
    Jérémie Laheurte
    Jérémie Laheurte
    • Doctor Schwarzenberg
    Olivier Barthélémy
    • Derval
    Predrag 'Miki' Manojlovic
    Predrag 'Miki' Manojlovic
    • Pavle Savic
    Dragan Bjelogrlic
    Dragan Bjelogrlic
    • Leka Rankovic
    Anne Serra
    Anne Serra
    • Odet Dragi
    Alisa Radakovic
    • Rosa
    Ognjen Micovic
    Ognjen Micovic
    • Zivota
    Jovan Jovanovic
    • Radojko
    Maja Campar
    • Vera
    Cédric Appietto
    • Pabion
    Ana Blagojevic
    • Mrs. Mate
    Jean-Louis Coulloc'h
    Jean-Louis Coulloc'h
    • Raymond Castanier
    Jean-Baptiste Demarigny
    • Doctor 1
    Jurij Drevensek
    Jurij Drevensek
    • Ales Babnik
    Pierre François
    • Donor 1
    • Director
      • Dragan Bjelogrlic
    • Writers
      • Dragan Bjelogrlic
      • Goran Milasinovic
      • Vuk Rsumovic
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    8.14.1K
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    Featured reviews

    9vlado-42

    Great movie from fantastic director

    From Bjelogrlic, our best director, comes an inspiring story that has had a significant impact on modern medicine - the first bone-marrow transplant performed on a human.

    Ancident in Vinca has been unknown for public until breakdown of Yugoslavia. Tipical for communism countries. The film is based on the book from Goran Milasinovic - Vinca Case.

    It is a technically really good movie, the photography is great here, and it is well directed as well. The actors did their part well.

    Although everything is in the right place, something is missing. I'm not sure what, maybe it's just my perception.
    10wcotter-16460

    Why isn't this film available in the U.S.?

    I saw this film at the Palm Springs Film Festival this past January. For this showing, I felt a palpable tension in the audience during the entire two-hour length of the film.

    The movie focused on historical events of which I was completely unaware. A nuclear disaster in Yugoslavia leads to infected lab workers being transported to France to undergo experimental treatments - the first transplant of non-related bone marrow .

    The acting, direction, and writing in this film are top-notch. In fact, it was, in my view, far better than any of this year's Oscar-nominated films and the most intriguing movie I've seen in years. It is befuddling that this site's user reviews of this film are either exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. Were we watching the same film?

    I would really like to have the opportunity to see Guardians of the Formula again to confirm my first impression of this film, but I've been looking for it since January to no avail. Why isn't this film available in the U. S. on Netflix or some other streaming service?
    7MachinaEx

    Some events don't get the necessary attention until somebody discovers it year later!

    Guardians of the Formula is a Serbian produced film with cooperation from French production studios. The film revolves about a group of Yugoslavian scientist who have been irradiated during an experiment in the nuclear research center Vinca in Belgrade. After being processed their only chance is to be transported to France where their only hope lies in the ambitions doctor Mateo who could help them by using a revolutionary method not yet tested on human beings. The film perfectly captures the Cold War atmosphere with the personal angst of the irradiated scientist as well as the staff that are treating them and giving them emotional support, the acting is good, really close to Western style movies, with production being nearly identical to say the least. As the films moves to it's conclusion it loses some steam, both the ending of movie fixes that steam and it gives it a nice conclusion. If you are from the states of former Yugoslavia (or are a movie buff) then you should at least give this movie a chance!
    9gordon_ska

    A gripping tale of the 1958 nuclear accident

    "Guardians of the Formula," directed by Dragan Bjelogrlic, is a compelling cinematic feat that skillfully brings to life the gripping tale of the 1958 Vincha Institute nuclear accident. Bjelogrlic, alongside a stellar cast including Alexis Manenti and Radivoje Bukvic, delves into this poignant historical moment with finesse and depth. The actors deliver powerful performances, embodying their characters' struggles and triumphs with authenticity. The production quality of the film is commendable, seamlessly blending historical accuracy with narrative emotion, making it a passionate tribute to a critical scientific milestone and the indomitable human spirit.
    10aleksandra78

    A gripping historical drama

    Based on a true story of a first human bone marrow transplant, the movie is a gripping medley of Cold War politics, medical research and historical milestones intertwined with ideological and ethical dilemmas and beliefs.

    Superb performance by Radivoje Bukvic and Alexis Manenti and outstanding reconstruction of the era. The character development and suspense building by Bjelogrlic keeps you engaged and glued to the screen. His success in balancing scientific and political elements with human drama of ordinary and not so ordinary characters, and their internal conflicts portrayed, adds depth to the story.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on a true story.
    • Goofs
      Scientist Dragoslav Popovic wasn't actually irradiated during the Vinca accident. In the film he is the main character among the irradiated scientists.
    • Quotes

      Dragoslav: My country is said to have five seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter and... bombing.

    • Alternate versions
      The final film has an international version with French titles and a regional version with Serbian titles.
    • Connections
      References Ozraceni (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Camac na Tisi
      written by Darko Kraljic, Dusan Jaksic

      performed by Dusan Jaksic, Olivera Markovic

      published by Jugoton

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Guardians of the Formula?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 2023 (Serbia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Serbia
      • Slovenia
      • Montenegro
      • North Macedonia
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Offical Instagram Profile
      • Official Production Website
    • Languages
      • French
      • Serbian
    • Also known as
      • Chain Reaction
    • Filming locations
      • Slovenia
    • Production companies
      • Cobra Film Department
      • Ton Film
      • Perfo Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,496,065
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD
      • 2.4 : 1

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