Magic Atmosphere/Magistral Work

Rating: Null/10 (15 June 1999)

Magistral work!!! I still have trouble whether I classifying it as drama or comedy. The film progresses in an infernal rhythm, supported by the excellent music of Goran Bregovic. Although the story has less credible elements (tunnel between capitals etc.) Kusturica manages to make us accept all these as normal facts in its characteristic way. (see Arizona Dream)
Underground is like a legend, a story which you share with your followers to let them know that "once upon a time there was a country...". I saw the movie in the period of the conflict in Kosovo (4 years after the making of the film) and it looked in some way prophetic. After all, it is a great allegory materialized with the use of the most refined cinema means, telling us about Yugoslavia more than hundreds of written articles and history books. It's a pity such a great nation had such a tragic fate. As a Romanian (neighbour of Yugoslavia) I had a much better (IMHO) understanding of this spirit, its ideals, its weaknesses because of the connections created during the history. Even one of the most played theme song has Romanian origins adapted by the genius of Bregovic. (the song named 'Kalasnjijov' on the soundtrack)
Its almost impossible to name the capital idea behind this multiple level movie. Is it the atrocities and uselesness of the war? Or the history of a nation? Or the unacceptance of reality? Maybe a story about mystification? Love, hate? And the list is endless. This is one of those things that should be called without hesitation a masterpiece.