vojajovic Review of Ajvar

Ajvar (2019)

Brilliantly captured real story, so deep that it doesn't care about its bluntness, no pathetics here.

[9/10 · 25 January 2021]

An intellectual couple in their 40s find themselves trapped in a relationship. They are kicking off a mid life crises, and are actually trapped in life routine of accomplished people of their age. Their case is with a twist, they went to Belgrade university, she is from Belgrade, he iz from Uzice. I believe that more or less the same goes for the entire Balkans or similar regions. They tried so hard to somehow get professional accomplishment and a "decent life for a human being". It was almost impossible where they are from, its just corruption in any field, normal living is reserved for politicians families and friends here. So you somehow find the way to get out, Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, no matter, any organized country that will have you will do. They got there just to see they are at the start of a new battle. They finally somehow made it, they have nothing to worry about now right? No, actually they realize that youth is gone, they are spent emotionally, your "life of a decent human being" doesn't make you happy anything like what you've thought it will. What you fought for and dreamed of for so long, doesn't really seem like a prize of any kind. They are not attracted to each other any more although it's obvious that they love and respect each other. They have no children because even the thought of a child in that situation for them was impossible. Accomplish your self first then procreate, right. It's probably too late for her so for that much is her situation worse. They don't really belong there culturally. They are lost with all their accomplishments and decant life. Authors demonstrates a very deep understanding of family, social and cultural element which we have here, but what's missing is how things are in Sweden in that sense. My greatest respect goes to the women authors that doesn't make this just about women perspective. They manage to see both angles and doesn't make anything similar to a usual sexistic judging crap we are all used to. I think they make special effort with brief introduction of Srdjan Miletics character, just to be obvious they are not about that. I don't know if it is Anas or Majas way, or both, which would be excellent. In my humble opinion the script is the best peace of this puzzle. Directing is just fine. Sergejs acting is great. Natasas job was much tougher. She seems to find the perfect spot and emotion for her role just to lose it in next moment, and again. Maybe that's what she was going for IDK. The last scene leaves us with unsolved puzzle, did he do the right thing, for himself, maybe, for her, I doubt it, but who knows. I am just fine with this because everyone, in this sort of life situation will have impossible choice to make and will probably hardly ever know did they make the right one.