Cirkus Columbia

Name: Cirkus Columbia
Genre: Drama
Released: February 17, 2012
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Boris Ler, Jelena Stupljanin, Miki Manojlovic, Milan Strljic, Mira Furlan

2012

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Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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Cirkus Columbia

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Movie Details & Credits

Strand Releasing | Release Date: February 17, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: Boris Ler, Jelena Stupljanin, Miki Manojlovic, Milan Strljic, Mira Furlan

Summary: Following the fall of the communist regime in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1991, Divko Buntic returns to his former home after a 20-year exile in Germany. Returning with an attractive young girlfriend, a flashy new Mercedes, a pocketful of cash, and a lucky black cat, things are looking good for Divko. When his cat goes missing things begin toFollowing the fall of the communist regime in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1991, Divko Buntic returns to his former home after a 20-year exile in Germany. Returning with an attractive young girlfriend, a flashy new Mercedes, a pocketful of cash, and a lucky black cat, things are looking good for Divko. When his cat goes missing things begin to fall apart: trouble with his girlfriend and the fledgling relationship with his estranged son are strained as the entire town scrambles to find the cat and collect the cash reward being offered. Divko’s personal tumult mirrors the country's situation at large with signs appearing that the Bosnian War is coming. As the war looms, tensions run high and Divko must decide whether to stay in his newly reestablished home or retreat. (Strand Releasing)… Expand

Director: Danis Tanovic

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto

Feb 17, 2012

A family getting evicted from its home is no laughing matter, except if you're watching Cirkus Columbia, a satiric comedy from, of all places, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Read full review

Diego Semerene

Feb 17, 2012

Its lightheartedness and overtly traditional narrative structure become a smart strategy for crafting what is ultimately a very nuanced political critique of capital. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Mar 8, 2012

Despite its wobbly tone and stumbles into implausible melodrama, the film succeeds as a study of realignments among friends and family, a gently cracked mirror held up to the insanity that would soon devastate the region. Read full review

David Fear

Feb 14, 2012

The tongue is in cheek and the tone is ironic and bleak, at least until the should-we-stay-or-should-we-go climax punctures the mood. Still, welcome back, Danis. Read full review

Alissa Simon

Feb 14, 2012

Though burdened by major problems of tone, Tanovic's fourth feature succeeds in making clear the incredulity with which most people regarded the thought of war and dissolution of Yugoslavia, as well as the machinations of various opportunistic groups. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Feb 16, 2012

Half of the time, the movie - based on a novel by Ivica Dikic, who collaborated with Mr. Tanovic on the screenplay - has the tone and pace of a farce. The other half, it plays like an unconvincing melodrama. The film assumes knowledge about the history and politics of the former Yugoslavia and the wars involved in its breakup that most Americans don't possess. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Feb 16, 2012

Director Danis Tanovic never undersells the anger and tension in the family, yet while the emotional underpinnings feel raw, much of "Cirkus" also winds up spinning 'round to obvious, if uncomfortable, places. Read full review

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smijatov

Nov 11, 2012

Having seen "No Man's Land," I had high expectations of this film by Danis Tanovic, too, and they were fulfilled! While the film is not as good as the Oscar winner from 2002, it has great pace and dramatic built-up. It is set in a small Herzegovinian town just before the war escalates inHaving seen "No Man's Land," I had high expectations of this film by Danis Tanovic, too, and they were fulfilled! While the film is not as good as the Oscar winner from 2002, it has great pace and dramatic built-up. It is set in a small Herzegovinian town just before the war escalates in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the change towards the war is splendidly built to a point of culmination at the very end. The acting is pretty good, especially by the excellent Mira Furlan, and the classic Miki Manojlovic. The screenplay is well-paced and very insightful, with good dialogue and interesting plot. Honestly, there is very little to nothing 'wrong' with the film. It is a strong film, and it is to no surprise that it was the Bosnian selection for the Academy Awards in 2010. I'd definitely recommend it, if for nothing else, for providing a beautiful view into the dramatic psychological and socio-political changes that were going on in the former Yugoslavia with lightning speed.… Expand

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marshallv

May 10, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Cirkus Columbia is a very beautiful sort of love story. Although it doesn't start off that way with troublesome between the some of the main characters, the way the movie progresses and the ending is a very heartwarming story. The movie is set in 1991 prior to the bosnian war. It is a story of a mother and son (Lucija and Martin) living their life in a small house when the father (Divko) of Martin and the former lover of Lucija shows up with a whole lot of cash, a new young girlfriend, and the police to kick Lucija and her son out of their home. The story shows struggle and unhappiness in the beginning, but with progression shows love in a very pure form. Cirkus Columbia is a great movie from a Bosnian perspective. The characters, writing, scenes, and even the comedy makes it a great movie. The personalities of Martin and his friend really are shown accurately like a real friend relationship because of their lowbrow humor and they fight a lot only to forgive each other later on. Divko is reminds me a lot of the typical middle aged Bosnian man. Stubborn, borish, and not too bright, Divko is a little bit crazy too considering his weird infatuation with his cat. This movie portrays the emotions and personalities of Bosnian’s in close to war Bosnia very well. The story itself is very interesting and has it’s funny moments. It also know when to implement drama when need be. If someone were to ask me if I knew any good films about Bosnia during the war, I’d recommend Cirkus Columbia.
In conclusion, Cirkus Columbia is a very good film. It’s accurately portrays people, history, and locations very well in Bosnia. Not only is it entertaining, but it is educational. It goes to show that you don’t need a primetime Hollywood budget to make a good and historically accurate film. This film resonates very well with not only the Bosnian community, but also to those who want to know more about Bosnia through film.… Expand

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