Underground (1995)

Through the legendary lives of the three protagonists-intellectual and speculator Marco, his friend Heizai, and their common lover Natalie-the film shows the director's understanding and complex feelings of the Yugoslav nation. Although the film is as long as two and a half hours, it does not feel lengthy at all. The whole film is full of whims and has a strong color of surrealism. It is a veritable epic. Although the plot of the film is somewhat absurd, it accurately depicts the social situation in Yugoslavia during World War II and boldly reveals the unknown truth behind the heroic deeds of some speculative war heroes. The tone of the film is humorous and ironic, and it is so lively and cheerful that it can even be seen as a comedy. The character of the film is very unrestrained and flamboyant, and the film is permeated with the passion of the creator everywhere. Director Emile Kusturica's genius in dealing with epic themes has undoubtedly been revealed, and because of the film's profound satire, many critics have compared the film to Russia's 1995 "poisonous Sun." Emil Custurica himself won the award for best director at the Venice Film Festival.