The Marathon Family (1982) Maratonci trce pocasni kru

Director: Slobodan Sijan
Writers: Dusan Kovacevic (play), Dusan Kovacevic (screenplay)
Stars: Bogdan Diklic, Danilo 'Bata' Stojkovic, Pavle Vuisic

The story is set between the two World wars. The Topalovic family consists of five generations of males, with the youngest one aged 25 and the oldest aged 120. Conflicts break out in the family because the youngest member refuses to carry on the morticians' trade, which for decades, from generation to generation has been his family's occupation. The manufacturing of coffins is more and more lucrative, new technologies are introduced, burials are faster and easier, the era of crematoriums is here. But the youngest member of the family, Mirko, is not interested. He believes in a "better, nicer and more honest occupation". In this belief he is supported and encouraged by his girlfriend Kristina and his best friend Djenka, owner of a small cinema. Kristina's father Billy Python supplier of coffins to the Topalovic company, demands a larger share in the earnings, i.e. a fair division of work and profit. Thus these two families come into conflict. In the showdown all means are permitted. This is American gangsterism in Balkan style. Greatly disappointed because both his friend and his girlfriend betrayed him, Mirko commits murder. As a murderer, he returns to his family where he is received with open arms as the new leader of the family, aware of his strength and power, a representative of the new generation whose basic moral principle is ruthlessness.

With no hard feelings, because there are many great films in the history, but this one should be absolute No.1 Although I regret almost everyday for I was born in this part of Europe, I am blessed to be a native speaker, so I can enjoy movies like this completely. I watched this masterpiece more than 300 times. Characters from this movie are the true heroes in all ex-Yu countries, scenes and comments from this movie you can see in everyday life, on TV, hear on radio stations, because each and every sentence from this movie became legendary. Thanks to all the legends who made this movie, hope they rest in peace, cause unfortunately most of them passed away…. I am not sure when we will have a bunch of such extraordinary actors again…

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