"Underground"
1995
Directed by Emir Kusturica

Actually a co-production of France/Germany/Hungary, this remarkable epic is set in Yugoslavia.  Emir Kusturica uses subtle comedy and satire to illustrate the downfall of Yugoslavia interwoven with the story of the downfall of human values.  Marko and Blacky establish an underground munitions production as their part of a resistance effort during WWII.  Marko is the "above-ground" man who seizes upon the opportunities that seem to fall into his lap even after the war is over, even at the cost of betraying his friends. "Delirious in its excess, but never less than ferociously intelligent and operatically emotional, Underground represents one of those rare, exhilarating moments when an outsize artistic vision is fueled by an apparently unlimited budget. Not to be missed" (Dave Kehr, New York Daily News). Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. Serbian and German with English subtitles.
167 minutes.