Cirkus Columbia

Director Danis Tanović's tragicomic tale set in the former Yugoslavia begins in 1991, a time when life was relatively peaceful following the departure of the communists. But then the military draft begins as unrest erupts in Serbia and Croatia. Divko (Miki Manojlovic) returns to his hometown after a 20-year exile in Germany, arriving in a tank-like Mercedes with attractive young fiancée Azra (Jelena Stupljanin), who wants to settle down and start a family. While Lucija (Mira Furlan)—to whom Divko remains married—frets about their 20-year-old sexually-frustrated ham radio enthusiast son, Martin (Boris Ler), Divko evicts mother and son from the family townhouse (Divko is more concerned about showing off Azra and doting on his beloved black cat, Bonny). Although Divko's friend, Leon (Miralem Zupcevic)—the mayor—would prefer not to get involved, he grudgingly gives Lucija the keys to a shabby municipal flat, so that she and Martin will have a place to stay. If Divko doesn't want to have anything to do with Lucija, he does make an attempt to get to know his son. But when Bonny runs away, he offers a reward and drowns himself in drink as Martin and Azra look for the cat, establishing a delicate bond along the way. Divko "rescued" Azra much as he rescued Bonny, but the longer he ignores her needs, the more she seeks satisfaction elsewhere. As a political allegory, Tanović's adaptation of Ivica Djikic's novel doesn't always work, but as a portrait of a dysfunctional extended family featuring a fine cast, Cirkus Columbia delivers the goods. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)