Reviews

First a few facts: this film was based on a true story so the director had a rather demanding task to balance between the facts and fiction in a way that wouldn't lead to clichés and stereotypes. In my opinion, he did the job quite successfully. The film is definitely not a master piece, but it's interesting enough. It brings a rather strong message about the Holocaust without the horrifying images that we're generally used to seeing in similar films and documentaries. Primarily, this is a film about the invincibility of a human spirit! The viewers can sense this through the eyes and voice of Lea Deutsch, an extremely popular Jewish kid actress in the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb, whose great misfortune was that her career started to flourish shortly before the outbreak of the World War Two.

Some Croatian critics made remarks that the director simplified the broader political context of the time, but I believe it's irrelevant for the story. This wasn't meant to be a documentary, and furthermore - people in Croatia are mostly familiar with this dark episode of their history, while others can simply google it if they need more information.

However, the film itself contains some good and some weak points. The good points are the scenery that looks slightly artistic, there are a few unexpected reversals, the plot even touches the fate of gay people in the Nazi regime and the action is generally fast-moving. I didn't like all the actors, but three of them were really persuasive in their roles: young Klara Naka who plays Lea Deutsch, Sebastian Cavazza and Zrinka Cvitešić who have strongly portrayed Lea's parents without being pathetic. Vedran Živolić was also great as Tadija. Some other actors were slightly irritating, on the other hand. In my opinion, the weakest point is the Innsbruck part, with old Darija hearing Lea's voice in her head. Personally, I would have left it out.

Overall, I felt like the film was missing the secret ingredient for stronger emotions and compassion, but as I had said previously, this would probably lead to stereotypes, which the director clearly wanted to avoid.

It's difficult to rate such a film objectively because it deals with an ongoing social issue that brings a rather bitter taste to the viewers. On the other hand, my opinion is that even the bitter taste is better than no taste at all - as it's often the case with the Hollywood type of films. In addition to that, I would recommend this film to all those who are fond of European cinema and who like to to feel something deeper while watching. If you're in search of a film that would merely entertain you, then "Just the Wind" might not be the best solution.

The thing I liked best in the film was the atmosphere. From the very beginning to the end, I constantly felt as if I was near the main characters - sensing their steps in the fields, their paths through the forest, their thoughts while being quiet, the uncomfortable fears of what might happen next. Although the film atmosphere is mostly awkward and unpleasant, it makes you feel as if you were in the Roma family's shoes. It seems more realistic than artistic, but also makes you think afterwards!

I also have to refer to another review on this site: I don't think anybody would gain a negative image about Hungary just because of watching this film. Every country has its crimes and its dark side, and let's not forget this is a Hungarian film after all. It's courageous to shoot a film about the issue that still isn't solved in a society.

Instead of portraying the Roma as a group, which would probably bring up a broader debate to the plot, the director focused on 3 individuals, making you sense their humanity. I believe this is the strongest and the most realistic message he could include. Direct political comments are left out, there are many silent parts of the film, which leaves every conclusion up to the audience.

First of all, don't expect any deeper meaning in the film! Just relax and enjoy the watching. It's a kind of a film you should choose for fun. Since it lasts for more than 2 hours, it is a huge plus how the director (Oliver Stone) keeps the viewers' attention in the plot. In addition to that, all the scenes are visually attractive and rather dynamic. There are few weak points in the plot, but they were probably designed so that viewers would sympathize with the characters more easily, which is especially evident with Ben and his volunteer work in the third-world countries. How else would anyone support a drug dealer in the film? In my opinion, the weakest link of "Savages" is Blake Lively, whose appearance seems slightly pale, but maybe it's because she was surrounded by actors who played really excellent and memorable roles, and here I'm talking about Salma Hayek and Benicio Del Toro in the first place, although other actors were good, too.

This film was actually a pleasant surprise for me. By reading the plot, I expected a rather shallow comedy full of clichés, and instead I got a drama that made me think about its issues after it was finished. Although the plot brings a few funny situations, generally it's a sad film about a young woman who longs for freedom and tenderness that she has never experienced. Mira Furlan was more than excellent in playing this role.

The film was made in 1980s in Montenegro (then a republic within Yugoslavia) and it portrayed a huge contrast between the country's strong patriarchal tradition and new "fashion" at the time, i.e. nudism that was developing on the Adriatic coast. The important thing is that the director didn't show any obvious support toward any of the attitudes in the film, instead he left the answers to the audience. Overall, I could say that the film was ahead of its time, especially when the issue of nudity is concerned. Here, I need to stress that viewers shouldn't expect any particularly "hot" scenes, because nudity in the film is shown just the way it is - natural and imperfect, unattractive and poetical at the same time. Another reason that made me think the film was ahead of its time was the feeling that little has changed since 1980s in former Yugoslavia: traditionalists are still powerful and loud, women are still often abused and kept silent, Church is even more dominant than before, while liberal and progressive ideas still have to collide with centuries-old points of view. It seems that only fashion and technology have changed. However, this is an issue that people from ex-Yugoslavia will understand best, just like the film itself, although I can recommend it to everyone who likes eastern European films and has a basic knowledge about the Balkans.

First of all, everyone should keep in mind what kind of movie this is. People who are not fond of romantic comedies probably won't like it, but on the other hand, those who expect to have fun will surely find many issues to enjoy. Of course, don't expect a masterpiece. Those who say the movie is a little shallow should consider it was not meant to be a drama or a documentary. It was simply made to be a hit! I would describe it as a modern fairy tale, with fast-moving action and great actors. Just like all fairy tales, occasionally it is illogical and unbelievable, it is full of clichés and stereotypes, but these all suit the movie, in my opinion. The message of hope and love is what matters here. This is a film that made me feel good after I left the cinema, and therefore it was worth watching. Recently we've been bombarded with catastrophes and end-of-the-world movies, which make New Year's Eve like a nice refreshment with its positive attitude towards life.

"Hello! How are you?" deals with several main topics - growing up of a teenager, crisis of middle-aged people, boredom in marriage, unfulfilled dreams and desire. Although the topics suggest a serious drama, the film is actually a romantic comedy, the type that really deserved my thumbs up. During the second half, I was a little afraid that it would turn to clichés, such as we often see in Hollywood blockbusters, but luckily, this was not the case here.

The story is not predictable, it seems realistic and it brings eastern European atmosphere in a positive and jolly way. The characters are vivid, the actors excellent in portraying them (both the leading and supporting roles), the direction is superb, with many unexpected scene details and surprising elements you discover gradually.

I suppose that most comedy lovers would enjoy the film the same as I did, and as did the audience at Vukovar Film Festival 2011. There were many scenes that made everyone burst out laughing. It's one of the films that simply makes you feel good after seeing it.

The omnibus consists of five segments, each was directed by a different person (all women directors from the countries of former Yugoslavia). The segments have one topic in common - pregnancy, although they also portray typical problems of the transition in these countries.

All segments are rather interesting to watch. The only issue that an average viewer might find repulsive is that the film is quite "dark". The only exception is the segment from Slovenia (the last one in the omnibus), which ends in a rather positive and feel-good attitude.

The darkest story is the Croatian one. The main character Sonja (Nera Stipicevic) has to deal with two serious problems, the obsession caused by the death of her mother and pregnancy with one of her twins having Down syndrome. In my opinion, one of her struggles would be just enough. This way it offers a point of view that is too pessimistic.

The second segment comes from Serbia. It takes place on New Year's Eve and tells a story of Milena, a pregnant woman whose husband, a taxi driver, gets killed in the street. Therefore she takes too many sleeping pills and ends in a hospital. Nurses and doctors are in high celebration spirit, so it seems that nobody really cares for the patients and their problems. The only person available for conversation is a charming young criminal who lies in another bed. Unlike Croatian story, this segment contains some humor so it would probably be more appealing to the average viewer, although the topic is very "dark" again.

The third segment is from Bosnia and Herzegovina and tells a story of Heder (Nina Violic), who is an OSCE employee from Holland. After spending a year in Bosnia, she is about to leave to Afganistan. She wants her career to prosper so she is willing to sacrifice her relationship with Haris (Fedja Stukan), a man from Sarajevo who she fell in love with. However, she seems to have second thoughts after she discovers she is pregnant.

The fourth segment is from Macedonia. It takes place in a state hospital where a young pregnant junkie has to fight for the future of her baby. Beside the pregnancy issue, the segment strongly portrays the problems of social differences and inequality in present-day's Macedonia, where money seems to be the only measure for everything, which is especially obvious when tycoons and people from the bottom of the social scale confront.

The fifth segment comes from Slovenia and is the most interesting in my opinion. I find it genuine, optimistic and very unusual. It's the only segment I would rate with a 10. It tells the story of a nun who undergoes artificial insemination and therefore gets expelled from her convent. The funny thing is that she's taken the vow of silence, so nobody knows what really happened. Croatian actress Lucija Serbedzija plays the nun and she is absolutely brilliant in her role. It is amazing to watch all the feelings she expresses without saying a word (in the entire segment she says just one word). The segment also portrays some serious problems typical for transition and poverty, but it has a rather positive attitude. It shows that human spirit is unbeatable and that will probably make you smile and feel good in the end.