„The Cyclic Time“ and a Relation of the Film “Underground” to a Serbian Political Ethno- Myth Cover Image

„Cyklický čas“ a vzťah filmu Underground k srbskému politickému etnomýtu
„The Cyclic Time“ and a Relation of the Film “Underground” to a Serbian Political Ethno- Myth

Author(s): Jana Dudková
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts
Published by: Ústav divadelnej a filmovej vedy SAV

Summary/Abstract: In her analysis of Kusturica´s film Underground, the author is dealing with perception of a Balkan „spirit“, which connects „naturalism“ with spontaneity and authenticity, but also with resistence, enabling to endure endless violance. The symbols of vigorousness and resistance are in Underground understood like moral and ambivalent, and instead of a general Balkan spirit, are derived from the history of Serbian guerilla rebellion. These are constantly exhausting and at the same time naturalistic labels, however not understood to be ancient in the original meaning of the word. The author is documenting that if Kusturica urges on certain traits as sediments of particular historical events, he has still not been entirely retreating from Balkanism. His vigorousness, „boisterousness“, „naturalism“ which have been until now mentioned by lots of his foreign and domestic fans, and which are in the film „Underground“ given a free passage, especially in the long scene of a wedding ceremony, are pictured by Kusturica using demostrative irony. These features are predominantly atributs of manners making the Balkanians traditionally „different“, for „Europe“ for the way of organizing their entertainment – ritualized in specific ways of fun and relaxation. Emir Kusturica (equally with Underground co-screentwriter Dušan Kovačević) is not intending just to deny or insecure Balkan premises, but above all to consistently nuance them.

  • Issue Year: 54/2006
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 191-217
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Slovak