Balkans Challenge - Official January 2020

[maxwelldeux]

Balkans Challenge



Goal:
Watch as many movies from the Balkans as you can in January.

Challenge runs 1 January 2020 - 31 January 2020.

List of eligible countries/territories

Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Greece
Kosovo
Macedonia
Montenegro
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia
Yugoslavia

Rules:
- Rewatches allowed.
- A feature film (at least 40 minutes) counts as one point.
- A total of 60 minutes of short films (less than 40 minutes) count as one point.
- For mini-series, each part (at least 40 minutes) counts as one point. If less than 40 minutes, then the short films rule applies.
- A total of 120 minutes of TV Episodes count as one point.

Stats & Formatting:
- Title (Year, Country) is the preferred format. Submissions that do not mention the country will not be counted.
- New posts are preferred over edited posts.


Official Lists:
UNESCO's Memory of the World (under the appropriate sections)
Cine.gr's the Best of Greek Cinema
Film Critics Association's Best Romanian Films

Unofficial Lists
Regional
MUBI Forum's Favourite Balkan Films
Istanbulfilm's Balkan cinema lists
100 East European Films (partial)

Ex-Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia - 100 Essential
Liberated Cinema: The Yugoslav Experience
Nominations for Best Foreign Language Film
Top 10 Serbian Films
10 Best Bosnian Films
Croatian Top 20
The Best of Yugoslavia (MUBI)
Ekran's Top 10 Slovenian Films
Yugoslav Film Archive's 100 Serbian Films of Cultural Heritage


Greece
The Ultimate Guide to Greek Cinema
Ten Best Greek Films
Best Foreign Language Film Submissions
Cine.gr Best of Preface
Open Window (Greek Cinema)
A History of Greek Cinema
The Greatest Greek Films (MUBI)

Bulgaria
Top 12 Bulgarian Films
Best Foreign Language Film Submissions
Bulgarian Movies

Romania
Best Romanian Films
GOPO Awards - Best Feature
Romanian Films
Best Foreign Language Film Submissions
Made in Romania (MUBI)
From Romania With Love (MUBI)
Romanian Cinema (MUBI)

Albania
Albania by Kenji (MUBI)

Doubles and Triples

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films from the Balkans


Bonus Challenge #1: Every Country/Territory

See something from every country and territory. The maximum possible score is 12. Already complete that? Do it again!

Bonus #1 Stats

Participant	Unique Countries
allisoncm	1
blocho	3
blueboybob	2
cinephage	2
Cinepolis	1
fear of 13	1
flavo5000	2
hurluberlu	1
jdidaco	6
jeroeno	3
Mario Gaborović	11
maxwelldeux	4
nimimerkillinen	3
Obgeoff	2
OldAle1	3
ororama	3
peeptoad	2
sol	7
Teproc	1

Bonus Challenge #2 - Individual Country Champions

This is multiple challenges in one. Individual races for the most watches for each country/territory, so long as the leader for each country/territory has at least five watches.

Bonus #2 Stats

Albania

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	2
1	sol	2
3	blocho	1

Bulgaria

Rank	Participant	Count
1	jdidaco	12
2	Mario Gaborović	6
3	sol	3
4	blocho	1
4	nimimerkillinen	1
4	OldAle1	1

Croatia

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	26
2	maxwelldeux	1

Greece

Rank	Participant	Count
1	OldAle1	12
2	sol	10
3	jdidaco	9
4	Mario Gaborović	4
4	blueboybob	4
6	nimimerkillinen	3
7	fear of 13	2
8	hurluberlu	1
8	peeptoad	1
8	Obgeoff	1
8	cinephage	1
8	jeroeno	1
8	flavo5000	1
8	ororama	1

Montenegro

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	5

North Macedonia

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	8
2	sol	1
2	jdidaco	1

Romania

Rank	Participant	Count
1	sol	17
2	Mario Gaborović	11
3	jdidaco	9
4	OldAle1	2
4	blueboybob	2
4	cinephage	2
4	maxwelldeux	2
4	flavo5000	2
9	blocho	1
9	allisoncm	1
9	Teproc	1
9	ororama	1
9	Cinepolis	1

Serbia

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	31
2	jdidaco	2
3	maxwelldeux	1

Slovenia

Rank	Participant	Count
1	Mario Gaborović	10
2	sol	1
2	jeroeno	1

Yugoslavia

Rank	Participant	Count
1	ororama	12
2	jdidaco	9
3	jeroeno	4
4	sol	3
5	peeptoad	2
5	maxwelldeux	2
7	Obgeoff	1

Note: For Bonus Challenge stats, shorts will be counted the same as features.

Leaderboard

Rank	Participant	Count	Countries Leading
1	Mario Gaborović	54	Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia
2	sol	37	Albania, Romania
3	jdidaco	30	Bulgaria
4	OldAle1	15	Greece
5	ororama	9	Yugoslavia
6	blueboybob	6
6	maxwelldeux	6
6	jeroeno	6
9	nimimerkillinen	5
10	peeptoad	3
10	flavo5000	3
10	cinephage	3
10	blocho	3
14	Obgeoff	2
14	fear of 13	2
16	Teproc	1
16	allisoncm	1
16	hurluberlu	1
16	Cinepolis	1

[maxwelldeux]

Credit to blocho and Panunzio who I shamelessly stole from.

[Mario Gaborović]

You're missing some important lists like these:
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/ekra ... ms/mjf314/
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/yugo ... ge/mjf314/

[maxwelldeux]

You're missing some important lists like these:
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/ekra ... ms/mjf314/
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/yugo ... ge/mjf314/

Thanks! Added to the OP.

[Mario Gaborović]

1. Vdekja e kalit / The Death of the Horse (1992) - Albania
2. Glykia symmoria / Sweet Bunch (1983) - Greece
3. Ratni reporter / The War Reporter (2011) - Croatia
4. Politiki kouzina / A Touch of Spice (2003) - Greece

[sol]

1. One Point O (2004) Romania



This film begins on a somewhat Kafkaeque note as our protagonist keeps finding mysterious empty packages in his locked and secured apartment. Things only become weirder as he begins to investigate his neighbours... and to reveal much more would give away key points. Suffice it to say that the film really gets inside its protagonist's fragile mind and the film is fantastically visualised with foreboding darkened corridors and unusual colours.

[sol]

Greece Lightning

1. One Point O (2004) Romania

2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece



The offbeat premise intrigued me here, but I think it may have been better suited to a comedy as opposed to this grim drama; while the protagonists occasionally get intimate with their clients, most of the impersonation stuff comes across as mild and mundane. The film does not probe particularly deep into the mindset of those who run the business either. Are they are just out to make a profit or do they genuinely believe their service is useful?

[jeroeno]

01. Greece - Mikres Afrodites (1963)

[Obgeoff]

1. Time of the Gypsies (1988, Kusturica) 8 [Yugoslavia]
2. Landscape in the Mist (1988, Angelopoulos) 8 [Greece]

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece

3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia



High school students grow increasingly convinced that their teacher was responsible for a student killing herself in this solemn drama. While their rebellion methods (wearing masks; walking out mid-lecture) are mild, the groupthink mentality is interesting with the students turning their deceased classmate into a sort of martyr. Igor Samobor is good as the always very composed teacher too, though the film does not really probe under his skin.

[jdidaco]

Thanks for hosting, max!

(Screenshot from 'Oh Babylon'),

1. Oh Babylon (Costas Ferris, 1989) 9/10 (Greece)
2. Sabirni centar (The Meeting Point, Goran Markovic, 1989) 8.5/10 (Yugoslavia (Serbia))
3. Urnebesna tragedija (The Tragic Burlesque, Goran Markovic, 1995) 7/10 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia)/Bulgaria)
4. Oi ores: Mia tetragoni tainia (The Hours: A Square Film, Antouanetta Angelidi, 1995) 8/10 (Greece)

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia

4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria



This thriller has a decent premise with great moments as the killer dog chases the men through the building while making near impossible leaps. It is too slim an idea for a full length feature though, so we also get flashbacks as the trio recall their experiences with animals throughout their lives, as well as cutaways to a fourth a character, whose role in the narrative is only resolved near the end - none of which is as electric as the dog chases.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria

5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania



The best film that I have seen all year (well so far), this is a great look at the world of "organised begging" involving con artists in Romania who prey on the goodwill of their fellow citizens. It's very funny, well acted - especially by an insanely energetic Gheorghe Dinica - and thought-provoking with its look at human nature and instincts. This is also my first check on the Official Romanian list (so now ekolay is the only list that I have zero checks on).

[shugs]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria

5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania



The best film that I have seen all year (well so far), this is a great look at the world of "organised begging" involving con artists in Romania who prey on the goodwill of their fellow citizens. It's very funny, well acted - especially by an insanely energetic Gheorghe Dinica - and thought-provoking with its look at human nature and instincts. This is also my first check on the Official Romanian list (so now ekolay is the only list that I have zero checks on).

Yeah, it's pretty great and hilarious. I'd also recommend Asphalt Tango, by the same director, with Mircea Diaconu in the main role as well. Fun fact, he was a candidate for this year's Romanian presidential elections, but he lost.

[sol]

Yeah, it's pretty great and hilarious. I'd also recommend Asphalt Tango, by the same director, with Mircea Diaconu in the main role as well. Fun fact, he was a candidate for this year's Romanian presidential elections, but he lost.

Interesting. I loved Mircea Diaconu's performance, but I don't know if I would trust him with my vote either after seeing Philanthropy. So far, I can only find Asphalt Tango without English subtitles. I can, however, find the director's Sundays on Leave subbed, so I will try to watch that at least before the end of the month.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania

6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania



Far removed from your average rape-revenge thriller, this film is full of gradual zooms settling to disquieting music and is more mood than adrenaline-based. It is an interesting approach, yet one that sucks some punch out of the story. The film hazes over why she has taken so long to act and taken her son along with her. The ending also didn't quite work for me but there is some real intensity here, e.g. a slow boat ride with well-timed reaction shots.

[maxwelldeux]

1. Infinite Football (2018, Romania)
This was utterly absurd. A documentary about a Romanian guy who invented a new sport based on soccer (i.e., football, for the non-US inclined people of the world). And it's as ridiculous as that premise sounds - but in a weird, way, it works. There's a subtle humor to the directing, especially in the push-back from someone knowledgeable about soccer history. Solid and interesting... available on US MUBI.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania

7. The Magic City (1954) Greece



Some of the frustrations of the poverty-stricken characters here certainly resonate, including a potent speech about things that "we can only see in the movies". Set against a melodramatic music score though, the protagonist's dilemma of whether to work for criminals or lose his car is only moderately engaging, and another decision (between a homely girl and a promiscuous married woman) is even less enticing. Nice uplifting ending though.

[hurluberlu]

1. Landscape in the Mist / Topio stin omihli (Theodoros Angelopoulos, 1988) [Greece] 6

[maxwelldeux]

Greece stats for BC#2 are posted now.

[jdidaco]

(Screenshot from 'Barierata'),

5. Barierata (The Barrier, Christo Christov, 1979) 8.5/10 (Bulgaria)
6. Dumbrava minunata (The Enchanted Grove, Gheorghe Naghi, 1981) 7/10 (Romania)
7. Neka cudna zemlja (The Bizarre Country, Dragan Marinkovic, 1988) 8/10 (Yugoslavia (Serbia))
8. Vizantijsko plavo (Byzantine Blue, Dragan Marinkovic, 1993) 7/10 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia))

Spoiler

1. Oh Babylon (Costas Ferris, 1989) 9/10 (Greece)
2. Sabirni centar (The Meeting Point, Goran Markovic, 1989) 8.5/10 (Yugoslavia (Serbia))
3. Urnebesna tragedija (The Tragic Burlesque, Goran Markovic, 1995) 7/10 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia)/Bulgaria)
4. Oi ores: Mia tetragoni tainia (The Hours: A Square Film, Antouanetta Angelidi, 1995) 8/10 (Greece)

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece

8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia



Everything begins very comical and slapstick here with pratfalls and split pants as the protagonist begins spying on a man who he thinks is a subversive. As the film progresses though and his paranoia builds, the film becomes more serious in tone and sad with the way he puts his family, health and job on the line due to his conviction that the man is guilty. The final scene is far funnier than it is sad or haunting, but this is pretty interesting all the same.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia

9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece



"In this house we have nothing to hide", states the patriarch of a Greek household as he recklessly pulls a door off its hinges in this film about a dysfunctional family family that have got something to hide related to a suicide. To reveal more might ruin a fresh experience, but suffice it to say that this becomes very dark and thought-provoking. It is fairly easy to guess the general area the film is heading in, but this is intense stuff all the same.

[Mario Gaborović]

5. Beogradska trilogija (2018) - Serbia
6. Maska (2007) - Serbia
7. Chia e tazi pesen? (2003) - Bulgaria
8. Stoichkov (2012) - Bulgaria

Spoiler

1. Vdekja e kalit / The Death of the Horse (1992) - Albania
2. Glykia symmoria / Sweet Bunch (1983) - Greece
3. Ratni reporter / The War Reporter (2011) - Croatia
4. Politiki kouzina / A Touch of Spice (2003) - Greece

[jeroeno]

2. Rdece klasje (1970) (Slovenia)

[maxwelldeux]

And new tables for Romania and Yugoslavia!

[sol]

And new tables for Romania and Yugoslavia!

Just a quick note to thank you for including the Bonus Challenge tables, which I'm sure will only get more interesting as more folks join in here.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia
9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece

10. Domestic (2012) Romania



An anthology movie of sorts with some tales more interesting than others. The first is arguably the best, involving a young girl whose parents pay her to slaughter a hen for dinner; in fact, most of the other episodes drag. The choice to shoot the film with mostly long takes is iffy at best; it is absolutely painful to watch a young boy sit for minutes on end at a Christmas lunch, upset over a rabbit being killed for their meal. A film to test your patience.

And with that, I'm now in the unexpected situation where both the best and worst film that I have seen in 2020 are from Romania.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia
9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece
10. Domestic (2012) Romania

11. Antigone (1961) Greece



Adapted from a play about the daughter of Oedipus, this is a refreshingly open (not stagebound) production with opulent sets, an eerie cave and some great exterior shots of dust blowing in the wind. The play roots of the material are, however, extremely evident in how dialogue-driven the film is without much in the way of mood or atmosphere; the performances are also generally melodramatic and theatrical, save for the reliable Irene Papas.

[maxwelldeux]

I need some soap for this Greece

1. Infinite Football (2018, Romania)

2. One Fine Day (1962, Yugoslavia)
On the UNESCO list, which is the best thing about this. Like old and especially foreign old comedies, the comedy doesn't translate for me. Not that it's a bad film... it's just meh.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia
9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece
10. Domestic (2012) Romania
11. Antigone (1961) Greece

12. O Drakos (1956) Greece



This film gets off to a very strong start with a music score that taunts the protagonist as he wanders between places, subject to looks and stares from both strangers and old acquaintances alike. Things also become quite intriguing as it he assumes the role when mistaken for a lookalike criminal in a nightclub/bar. The film ultimately spends far too long in the nightclub though, complicated by an unlikely romance with a teenage dancer.

[blueboybob]

1. Never on Sunday (1960, Greece)
2. Stella (1955, Greece)

[Mario Gaborović]

09. Cu mâinile curate (1972) - Romania
10. Vrijeme šutnje (1971) + I Love You, Too... (1991) + Paranoja (1993) + Film with a Girl (2000) + Odvajanje (2015) + Rainy Afternoon (2015) + Stakleni čovjek (2015) + Trip (2017) + Zašto (2017) + Dokument Parakozmik (2018) Croatia

Spoiler

01. Vdekja e kalit / The Death of the Horse (1992) - Albania
02. Glykia symmoria / Sweet Bunch (1983) - Greece
03. Ratni reporter / The War Reporter (2011) - Croatia
04. Politiki kouzina / A Touch of Spice (2003) - Greece
05. Beogradska trilogija (2018) - Serbia
06. Maska (2007) - Serbia
07. Chia e tazi pesen? (2003) - Bulgaria
08. Stoichkov (2012) - Bulgaria

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia
9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece
10. Domestic (2012) Romania
11. Antigone (1961) Greece
12. O Drakos (1956) Greece

13. Variola Vera (1982) Yugoslavia



Titled after the Latin name for smallpox, this film is cut from the same cloth as Contagion, and while never as engrossing as that with less enticing characters, the film has enough effective small touches that the overall movie works. A flute has particularly eerie significance in a couple of key scenes, while the initial stages of the disease feel like something out of a horror film like Rabid or Shivers with blood spewing everywhere.

[sol]

Greece Lightning and other hits

1. One Point O (2004) Romania
2. Alps / Alpeis (2011) Greece
3. Class Enemy (2013) Slovenia
4. Bullet Head (2017) Bulgaria
5. Philanthropy (2002) Romania
6. Katalin Varga (2009) Romania
7. The Magic City (1954) Greece
8. The Balkan Spy (1984) Yugoslavia
9. Miss Violence (2013) Greece
10. Domestic (2012) Romania
11. Antigone (1961) Greece
12. O Drakos (1956) Greece
13. Variola Vera (1982) Yugoslavia

14. The Barrier (1979) Bulgaria



Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, who was superb as the protagonist in Gamlet, does equally well with the lead role here, especially as he struggles between whether he sees the (much younger) new woman in his life as a surrogate daughter or potential lover. The film is at its best when at its most mysterious: whether it be her reading thoughts, a possible folie a deux in which they both fly (or do they?) or her scattered moments of paranoia.

[Mario Gaborović]

11. Stari majstor (2011) + The Fridge Factory and Clear Waters (2011) + Dvorišta (2015) + Vanja Radovanović: Inje (2018) - Montenegro

Spoiler

01. Vdekja e kalit / The Death of the Horse (1992) - Albania
02. Glykia symmoria / Sweet Bunch (1983) - Greece
03. Ratni reporter / The War Reporter (2011) - Croatia
04. Politiki kouzina / A Touch of Spice (2003) - Greece
05. Beogradska trilogija (2018) - Serbia
06. Maska (2007) - Serbia
07. Chia e tazi pesen? (2003) - Bulgaria
08. Stoichkov (2012) - Bulgaria
09. Cu mâinile curate (1972) - Romania
10. Vrijeme šutnje (1971) + I Love You, Too... (1991) + Paranoja (1993) + Film with a Girl (2000) + Odvajanje (2015) + Rainy Afternoon (2015) + Stakleni čovjek (2015) + Trip (2017) + Zašto (2017) + Dokument Parakozmik (2018) Croatia

[sol]

You might beat me yet, Mario - keep pushing along!

P.S.: Remind me to choose a Balkan country next time we run a World Cup; I have already seen some great stuff from Slovenia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia that I would be delighted to push other people's way.

[Mario Gaborović]

You might beat me yet, Mario - keep pushing along!

P.S.: Remind me to choose a Balkan country next time we run a World Cup; I have already seen some great stuff from Slovenia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia that I would be delighted to push other people's way.

Right now I can only suggest you to watch some of my favorites, such as Subotom uveče. Wish that there's more people who have seen it It's a perfect date movie if you ask me.

[jeroeno]

03. Tistega lepega dne (Yugoslavia, 1962)

[maxwelldeux]

OP Updated (but doesn't include jeroeno's post from a few minutes ago)... added tables for Bulgaria and Croatia. Remember that for the bonus challenges, I'm treating shorts and features the same.