Life is a Miracle (2004) - full transcript

What could be better for the village than a scenic railway to bring in the tourists? What could be worse for tourism than war? Luka builds the railway and shuts his eyes to war. Then Luka's wife runs off with a musician and his son is called up to the army. Luka's life is a war zone. Then he meets Sabaha..

Milica!

I'll go bankrupt!

I can't carry these anymore.

BOSNIA 1992

Milica!

Out of the way!

1, 2, 3, 4...

Let's see if your old man still
has it!

MiIos, you have to play with
your head.

Yeah, right! Piss off!

Hey, Eso!



Hey, Luka, you can't be in two
places

at the same time.
- Sure, I can!

You see, I can!

Lord! I hope he remembers me.

Hey, Einstein, the coach
has a memory for remembering.

For remembering?

It's been 18 months since we
left Belgrad

Just keep your m??d on the match.
Your job's to play.

Hey, Veljo....
My great big friend!

Here's your pension.

I'm glad to see you!

Amazing...

The miracle of life!

Neighbor!



Neighbor!

Joksa! Hey, Joksa!

You're too small to scare me...

Get that donkey off the track,
Vujan!

I'll go bankrupt, my dear Veljo.

These are in great demand
and that cow won't carry them.

Why not? - She's suffering.

Can't she suffer in a ditch?
What's it matter where she suffers?

I'll have to use...

a stick.

Get a move on!
You won't get in my way.

What's this? Why is she crying?

She's lovesick.
She wants a train to run her over.

What train? The track isn't
finished yet.

Exactly what I told her.

I'll use the stick on her. - A
stick?

I'm skeptical about that.

People! They've killed Joksa!

Luka!

I have to tell you something!

Just let me get past.

I have to tell you...

Just one word!

The bears are slaughtering everybody!
But Tito shot the last one.

They're pouring in from Croatia.

Beasts from Croat?}!
And you just sit here playing!

What beasts?
Why, bears!

They're like ours, only
different.

A bit bigger but with gray fur.
They must be Persian bears.

Not Persian bears!
They're fleeing the war in Croatia.

Is the track OK? - Why shouldn't
it be?

Luka, this is no joke.

Folks are dying and you sit
here playing.

Here, boy!

Here, boy!

Radovan!

What's up?

Why won't she leave me alone?

What is it?

Let's stop so I can feed the dog.
Be a darling.

Since when does a goddam mayor
feed stray dogs?

Tell me that.

Since when does a mayor

gobble breakfast in a car?

Can't you see that Lily's in
love?

Paws off my lunch!

Good for you!

Scram!

You're a lawyer, Filipovic.
We made you party secretary.

You know these things better
than me.

That's why I'm tell??g you.
There are laws, man.

Want to get us arrested?

Only nitwits get nabbed. - Not
crooks?

That's not what I said.

Yes, it is. Fraud is fraud,
however you dress it up.

But the Muslims & Croats do just the same.
- Do what?

Finance political parties
from cigarettes and oil.

Building democracy on freight
trains!

Tito did it for 30 years. - Tito?

Forget Tito. Tito was T??o,
after all.

I'll tell him everything.

If it isn't my dear old
brother-in-law!

Are we ready for Liberation Day?

The band, not the track.
The Serbians are behind.

But our side is on time.
How are my artists?

My lovely music!

Sir, can I speak to you?

Sparavalo, of the Sarajevo
Opera.

Sarajevo! A magic town.

Mr. Mayor... - Wait!

Mr. Cuhaj, our guest artist from Hungary.
A universal artist.

This is going to be OK.

OK, he says...

As president of the town
council,

I would like to express my
gratitude

for the support you've given
our railroad

But we politicians haven't
slept.

Just read this, bro.

Mr. Mayor, if we don't organize a hunt
the beasts will slaughter us all.

"We approve purchase of a
"Sneider-Holstein locomotive..."

This is fantastic!

Not a single Serb will be left!
Look what you've done!

Mr. Mayor, friends,

allow me to present our project.

Here you see the section of
track that

will link Bosnia and Serbia for
12 miles.

Mr. Mayor... - In fact,

the Austrians first built this track
but then it was destroyed.

We now need to rebuild it
to boost tourism and trade.

With this tunnel... - Mr. Mayor!

...we will overcome a major
obstacle...

and be ready for Liberation Day.

Well done, bro!

We are lumberjacks and we're
okay

In the green forests of Bosni-ay

We are lumberjacks and we're
okay

In the hills and mountains of
Bosni-ay!

Listen, hotshots,

let me tell you the basics

about being a goalie.

I can't wait to hear this!

You have to guard that line

regardless of who's shooting.

Is that so? - You bet.

That's why there are no smart
goalies.

Did Einstein say that?
No, you idiot! Wrong again!

It was the coach who said it.

And now Tomo Krotolina's
gonna show you how to shoot.

Where are you going, for god's
sake!

Didn't you say you're fearless,
goalie?

Then come with me.

What for?

Prove that you're fearless.
- Don't pull!

Who's pulling, Mr. Fearless?

But I wanted to go dancing...

No more buts, Eso.

Here comes a goal shot.

You said you're fearless.

What's all this? - Just stand
there!

No, bro, stand there!

You said you're fearless, so
stand still.

MiIos Djukic!

MiIos!
Come and see our Eso!

Here's a cross shot.

Catch!

Bravo, boss! Bravo, legend!

And now? - Something completely
different.

Watch this trick.

Hold it on your head.

What is this, Tomo? - Hold it
like this.

Put your arms down.

Just great!

Just watch this, Eso!

What are you doing?

Are you nuts?

You crazy fucking idiot!

Shit, I missed!

I aimed for the forehead.

Your turn now, tough guy!

Fuck you! You're crazy!

No problem, buddy. I'll play
the game.

Here's your chance.

I'm emptying the fucking gun! Relax.
A new player calls for fresh bullets.

Eso, this isn't a joke.

Relax, I've got experience.

Uncle Faik bought some guns
cheap.

We've been practicing.

Buying guns now? - Your turn.

Here's a moving target.

Tomo, quit messing around.

MiIos, out of the way! - Goddam
you!

Go ahead, shoot, tough guy!

MiIos, out of the way!

Here we go!

I don't give a fuck!

If you survive, asshole,
I'll kill you!

I gotta admit,
your uncle's really something.

It's homemade. Have a swig.
It'll calm you down.

We'll get a hunt going.

She won't move.
She's lovesick.

She's waiting for a train to
run her over

Whose donkey is it?
It's Vujan's.

Vujan who? - Vujan Peric from
Zabrdje.

Vujan died five years ago!
But I spoke to him today.

C'mon!

Move!

It's useless!

Is she crying?

I told you she's suffering.

You don't know the secret word.

Move it!

Step aside.

Now whistle.

You're not listening to me.

I don't say speed isn't
important.

But any fool can run fast.

What are you talking about?

Oh God, are You listening to
this?

Sure, He's listening.

Don't upset me, Nada. I never
said that.

I said she looked at her husband
and saw he had big ears.

Know how Napoleon won matches?

You mean battles. - Right.

He'd calculate how fast

his cavalry could reach enemy
lines

and cut them off. Speed's
everything!

You read a lot,

but careful you don't get a
headache.

If you ride a cloud at the
speed of light

you can't see yourself in a
mirror.

I need that speed.

Such speed's unhealthy.

The feeling matters

Know what feeling is? - Tell me.

Talent.

Talent? I'll make a note of it.

You either have it or you don't.

We were given reason

to escape from our upsets

and I'm really upset.

I don't mean Anna Karenina,

I mean me.

I didn't come here for nothing,
you know.

My next stop's the nursing home.

I heard Luka talking to the
director,

but he doesn't know I know.

He told Luka: "No, Luka, please.

"It's too early for Jadranka

"to enter a nursing home.
She'll still

"young, so don't do it."

But I worry for MiIos!

You know, a child without a
mother

is like a broken umbrella in
the wind.

Big fish eats little fish.

God, what's wrong with me?

I just want you to know:

Never will I leave this place!
Ever!

Come on, take a pill.

Why don't you take it yourself?

Think I don't know what you're
planning?

Don't even think of it!

You want your son to hear you?

Lie down. Hospital regulations!

Look, he won't let her on a
stretcher!

Come on! - Please, listen to
me...

I want to go home.

I'd change that guy for free.

Just one injection!

His wife sings beautifully.

I heard her on the radio.

There's no nursing home.

Too bad about the dust.

She has an allergy?

An allergy? She's out to lunch.

That's what I call love.

Wouldn't you l??e to be
carried like that in his arms?

No way! He's not a Muslim.

As if that mattered!

It matters! Ask your dad.

You don't ask dad for
everything.

I want to go home to MiIos.

Mouse!

Here's the doctor. - How you
are, ma'am?

Come in.

It's just a minor allergy.

Bosnia! SDA!

I'm gonna buy him into every
team,

right up to the national team.

Djukic, get back!

He can't handle this!

He can handle it. Calm down.

Get back when I tell you!

Is that the kid you mean?

MiIos Djukic!

Jadranka, come back!

I'm MiIos's mother.

Ah, you're the mother!

MiIos's mother.
I'm Zurovac.

You may recall, he played for
"Partizan"

when he was a kid.

He's no. 9. - Nice kid.

Yes, but he's very sensitive.

He's Mommy's little boy.

I'm an opera singer.

I'm taking time off

because of a throat problem.

I'm allergic to dust

so I'm here to recuperate.

Go for him!

Close him down!

I'm the only one who understands him.
I know what it's like to play.

Theatre, soccer, it's all the
same.

"All the world's a stage."

Know who said that?

I have no idea.

Sure, you do.

A name that starts with Sh...

Shekularac?

No, a foreign guy.

"All the world's a stage.

"And all the men & women merely
players."

You mean Shuster? - Not at all.

I have no idea.

Shakespeare.

I don't follow the Premier
League.

This is opening night for MiIos.

Everything in life is a stage.

But different things happen on
it.

Am I right? - Sure.

Take me, for instance.

When I sing on opening night,

my throat goes like this...

Look at the poor woman.

The things she does for her son!

She's like Mama Juanita.

Let me see. - It's nothing, just
a ball!

That was awful.

You have to hear me in
rehearsal.

What's her problem?

Have you seen the movie, ''Mama
Juanita"?

No.

Then you ain't seen nothing.

What's there to see?

Know what I'd do for my mother?

What would you do for your
mother?

I'd fuck half the stadium for
her.

What a generation!

For you, Mama Juanita

I dedicate this song to you

At the break of dawn

This song is heard

For you, Mama Juanita

I dedicate this song to you

Here it comes!

You abnormal fuck!

What's your problem? Let the
ball in!

Let go of my fishing rod,
you motherfucker!

This is going too far.

Goal!

Goal!

MiIos!

Bravo! You're the champ!

Ma'am, your "Sh'' stands for
"champion"!

The classic champion.
Partizan needs a player like him.

Eso!

Stop the fight!

Leave my son alone!

Leave the kid alone, dopehead!

I'll fucking kill you!

You did it, MiIos!

Mommy's coming!

Uncle's coming!

I'm coming, my boy!

Leave it to me, Dad! Please!

You band of fucking
nationalists!

MiIos!

Bash that one, he's getting
away!

He's getting away!

Tell me exactly what he said.

He said: ''Ma'am, your MiIos is
the best.

But you know that already.

Spare me your comments.

Mind if I finish?

Secondly, he said he'd phone

in a week's time.

So why didn't he call?

He said if business didn't
prevent him.

He's a very busy manager.

He said: "Partizan needs MiIos."

What more do you want?

Anna Karenina had no allergy.

She was visiting her brother

and she took the train home.

No, Nada, he didn't really have
big ears.

She just didn't love him
anymore.

He was supposed to call last
Monday.

He'll call, don't worry. - He'll
call?

It's been a week already.

Not even Einstein would say
that.

What day is it?

I have no idea. - Saturday.

He'll call, I tell you.

Will he?

If he really needed me,

he'd be calling five times a
day.

Are you crying?

No, I'm not.

Looks to me like you are.

Well, you're blind. - You're
crying.

I want to go back to Belgrade.

I want to play soccer there.

Then go, but don't cry.

And you stop shouting. - Who's
shouting?

You're shouting! - I'm not
shouting.

What's more,

you dragged me out here.

Did I?

And you took me off the stage.

Better me than the critics.

What did you say? - Just kidding.

When did I ever have bad reviews?
I know...

Tell me, when?

That's what I'm saying.

Can't a man joke around here
anymore?

Those beech trees don't go with
the house

They're not beeches, they're
linden trees

Something has to smell nice.

What? You want to dig?

Then go ahead.

Wait. Not like that.

Like this. Your foot goes here.

What a sensation!

I feel like blowing up

the whole countryside...

Hey, bro, we won't have a
border here,

will we?

Where do you see a border?

There, Nada. And Serbia's over
there.

Customs in the middle of the
tunnel?

I don't know.

But the border is here.

What a tragedy!

I want to thank you

for turning out in force

to show your readiness at tough
times

to defend your homes

against the wild beasts.

I officially declare this bear
hunt open.

Just a quick word...
What is it, Filipovic?

The party called from Sarajevo
again.

They said:
"Does Radovan know who's in charge?"

Are they threatening me?

Why are they so hung up
on that freight train?

Big deal!

Well, it is big. A million
marks.

That's what I call greedy.

Do you think I'm stupid?

No, but we're farting on our
own candle.

They'll cross us off the map
if we don't play along.

Over my dead body!

No more scams using cripples.
Shame on you!

I have higher connections in
Belgrade.

We'll see who fucks who.
You or me.

Enough of this...

When a young hunter I used to be,
a young girl fell in love with me.

She was so lovely and so fine,

she was my darling, she was
mine.

Before I'd set off to hunt at
dawn,

Her goodbye kiss was l??e a ray
of sun.

It gave me luck along the track,

a pledge that I would safely
come back.

Rabbit, fox and quail,

partridge and wild duck,

you can catch all these with
luck.

But never will you pick up my
trail.

If only people knew the life to
live.

Happiness is all that life
could give.

Those were days of dreams for
me.

When a young hunter I used to
be...

A bear!

Run!

All clear, Mr. Mayor.

Who leads every revolution?

Who gives us our daily bread?

Who can be pope, king or sultan,

and presides over living and
dead?

It's a man, an intellectual,

he is the cornerstone of
progress.

A gentleman, a professional,

his biography is marvelous.

He can change mud into gold,

turn a stone into a flower.

To create is in his power.

Honey, it's a man's world.

You can build an ark

to save humanity,

you can raise your little finger

to part the waves of the sea.

You can build the peace

or the Great Wall of China,

you can read our dreams,

books and beliefs.

You can make war

transact a NATO pact

You can write history,

constitutions and poetry,

but you do all of this

just because of me.

To conquer a women's heart

is the hardest victory.

It's a man, an individual pure,

for every illness he finds the
cure

He built railroads and great
roads.

Honey, it's a man's world.

Without me,

You're an unfinished rhyme.

Without me,

you are a sad linden in a
desert clime.

Cities you can build,

or take apart,

You can split the atom,

but not my heart.

You can make war,

transact a NATO pact

You can write history...

The Serbs of Bosnia-Herzegovina
declared

that the murder at a Serb
wedding

was a shot aimed at the Serb
people.

Among conditions are demands

for an urgent resumption of
the...

conference on the
democratization...

Where's MiIos?

At Eso's. Where else?

What's he doing there?

He likes the cakes. It's
Ramadan.

He was there last year too.

He should stay away from that
Esad.

Why? He's a good boy.

...the result of yesterday's
murder

of a Serb, Nikola Grdovic,

outside an Orthodox church
in Sarajevo.

Citizens were advised to stay
home.

Although there has been no
fighting,

gunfire has been heard.

You ask why? Look around you.
They're shooting everywhere

and you ask why. Don't you
watch TV?

It's all lies.

It won't happen, woman.

Folks are reasonable here.

The way you talk isn't
reasonable.

Me? What's wrong with you today?

Veljo left a letter for MiIos.

It may be from Belgrade.

On the table.

From Belgrade.

Maybe Partizan wants him.

In today's events, one citizen
was killed

and four wounded...

He is to report within 24 hour
to his army unit.

The army!

That calls for a toast!

It's the army, you idiot!

Hey, Dad, if only you were here
to see MiIos off to the army.

Fuck you and your railroad!

And damn me for letting you bring
me out here. What's wrong?

What is it, woman? - What is
this?

It's a scale model. - Scale
model?

What are you doing?

You call this a life?

Calm down, woman!

Let go of me!

You call this a life? - Leave
that alone!

You want a dead hero in the
house?

Do you want to have a bust
made for your son?

Idiot! It's not just military
service.

Okay, calm down. - It's a call
to war.

They won't get my child! - Leave
Dad alone

I'm not going back!

I won't go. - Wait!

What is it now?

Upset mother again?

I didn't say a word.

You did.

So why's she crying?

It wasn't me, honest.

A Ramadan cake from Mom!

Thanks, son.

Off I go.

Do you have a spark of
intelligence?

Want to hear something
intelligent?

Yes, tell us. - Come here.

That manager, Zurovac, called.
He made me an official offer.

They want your son to join
Partizan.

MiIos Djukic! - That's my boy!

That's my boy!

MiIos!

Tomo's got something for you!
Something fancy and modern!

Basic training?

Just basic training, honest!

Filipovic arranged it with the
army.

You can ask him.

MiIos!

Hold on, son! Calm down!

What is it?

I don't believe him.

Not a word he says!

You have to do basic training.

Not even God can change that.

That's how it is.

That's how it is? - Yes.

How it is?

As soon as you finish basic training,
you join Partizan straightaway.

Listen to me.

It's all been arranged.

What's this?

Why the long face if it's fine?

Who has a long face?

You know what I mean.

What do you mean, long face?

Just what I said.

Why do you look so miserable?

Miserable?

Oh, son,

I was born that way.

Quick!

Here's Tomo Krtolina,
your Santa Claus!

Where have you been, Tomo?

3, 4...

Come one, come all

Come everyone
When I take my oath this fall...

Go to your mother now.

Mother!

MiIos!

Aleksic! - Hey, Luka...

Old pal, where you been?

I have to ask you something.
You're my only hope.

Me, your only hope?

If a soldier's your only hope
you're really in bad shape.

It's about the war. She's
bugging me.

She says he's going to war,
not basic training.

There won't be a war.

There won't?

If everything goes according to plan,
we can avoid it.

Auntie's little honeybunch!

Where will you be stationed?
In Novi Sad. - That's not far!

True.

What's it near to? The battle
zone.

You're as good at geography
as my old lady is.

I've been halfway across Europe.

Just eat. Eat!

I have no one here. Just my son.
And my husband.

Come over here.

I have something to tell you.

Oh, you're so funny!

Our chief's in Moscow.

If they let us,

the military could take over,
and put an end to all this shit.

That means no war?

No war, Luka. - Thanks, Aleksic.

You're a real brother.

Sure, Luka.

No war.

Excuse me! Come over here.

What is it? - Over here.

C'mon, give me a little kiss.

We won't have a war. - Says who?

Someone who knows.

That "someone'' will end up
starting the war.

Luka, you poor martyr.

Fuck women and their creator!

Stop playing!

Stop the music!

Stop, when I tell you.

Is MiIos serving in Hungary?

Play one of our songs.

Good evening.

I wanna extend a welcome
to everyone here.

And I'd like especially to welcome
the Djani Rebus Band.

Give 'em a big hand!

The song I'd like to dedicate to MiIos
as he goes off to the army is "Time's Up"

Karakaj. - Fuck Karakaj.

Never Mind.

Time's up!

I have to go into the army

So long, mom and dad

So long, good old godfather

So prepare my farewell party

And now for the knockout punch!

MomciIo! MomciIo!

What is it now?

The war's started. What are you
doing?

What? What?

The game's on, sweet pea.

But I don't feel it!

Gotcha, you slut!

Godfather Rajko

Let out the dog

To watch over the house

Don't let the wolf

get his paws around

my Red Riding Hood

while I'm away

County Tuzla, village of Karakaj

That's the place I call home

Anybody home?

Anyone to see the soldier off?

Here I am.

Where's mother?

I took her to the hospital.

They're keeping her for tests.

That allergy come pretty often?

It doesn't go away so easily.

In some cases, it's for life.

Get ready. Don't just stand
there.

I'll miss my bus.

Wait!

Kiss Mother for me.

Wait up!

Wait, MiIos!

You see? Speed is important.

The feeling's important.
You dropped your wallet, dummy.

Speed and feeling are equal.

They're part of the same
equation.

Take care.

"Kiss Mother for me"

Damn women!

What?

I'll put an end to your
babbling!

Fuck you!

Think what you want
but Veljo is no fool!

Who says you are?

When I use my head things clear
up.

People told me:

Veljo, hide your family! But I
didn't.

Who told you to?

I said: Luka's smart, an engineer.
He didn't hide his wife.

So why should I? - What?

You hid her with the Hungarian.

I told my wife: Off to Serbia
with you!

I didn't hide Jadranka.

But I saw her leave with the
Hungarian.

Listen good,
the railroad is under military control.

From now on, you answer only to
us.

You're in charge of maintenance
and communications.

Report all damage to me.

That's an order.

The tracks must be operational
at all times. Understand?

Look at her! Where are you
going?

Want a train to run you over?

Go on home!

It's useless to talk to you!

What did you bring?

A bit of everything.

What goes into a Bosnian stew?

Everything. MiIos loves it.

Hear those explosions?

They're pounding away.

MiIos is being transferred here.

Whereabouts? - To Bosnia.

He'll pop in if he's nearby.

I'm scared to be in my house
alone.

I brought a chess set. We can
have a game. Good idea.

What's that?

They're our boys.

Hey, soldier!

Those aren't our boys! Run!

Don't I say they were pounding
away?

What is it? Not afraid?

Why afraid? They announced a
cease-fire.

A cease-fire?

Fucking cease-fire!

They're pounding away!

I can't hear anything.

You have the first move.

I'm black. - Fine.

Know what my old man used to
say?

What?

That war always comes quickly.

You see it coming.

It rolls in like a flood,

but starts
by surprise, understand? - Yeah.

Let's play, and the hell with
them.

Veljo!

Was that a 120mm shell? - Yes.

Where'd the Ustasha get them?

Genscher sent 'em to the Croats.

Wake up, Luka! - What are you
yelling for?

Where's Veljo? He's not home.

Why do you need him?

Mobilization!

A rocket launcher consists the
following:

The barrel, the rocket inside,

front and rear sights,

and the launch mechanism.

Is that clear?

You, young man.

Step forward.

What in thunderation!

We'll do a little test shot.

See that isolated tree at 250
meters?

That's the target.

Okay, doll, is that clear?

It is.

Take aim...

Fire!

Zowie! What a ricochet!

Good news, your son's here!

MiIos! Where?

At the house. The captain drove
him there

Is that the truth?

Why would I lie?

MiIos!

Get down, Zujka!

Why are you lying like this?
Stretch out.

Wait up!

Take it easy! Don't overdo it!

Where's my MiIos hiding?

Hey, Veljo!

Everything okay at your place?

It really shook last night.

I lost some roof t??es.
You know the real miracle,

nothing happened to the Bosnian stew.
It just got cold.

Oh, my Luka!

My boy visits and I give him
nothing.

What an ass, I fell asleep.

Had any damage?

Come down. I have news.

Could you hand me up that long board,
there, on the ledge?

Come down. I have to tell you
something.

I can't. Tell me.

Come down!
It's not about Jadranka.

Is it MiIos?

Is he dead?

Tell me. Is he wounded?

No. Come down!

Tell me what happened?

I'll murder you if I come down!

He's a prisoner.

A prisoner?

MiIos, a prisoner?

How did it happen?

The captain will tell you.

Vladan! Get the chopper for the wounded!
On the double!

Captain!

Send your unit to hiII 805!

He wants to take MiIos's place.

To do what? - To replace MiIos.

Transfer me!

You've gone crazy too?

Let's go home. - I don't want to.

Listen.

I won't leave without a mission.

Remember, this isn't your
private war.

I can't take any more. I'll
kill myself.

What?

Vladan, get out. - You haven't
finished.

Get out. - But you haven't...

Dismissed! - Yes, sir.

You'll kill yourself?

Too easy. Death doesn't hurt,
my friend.

It's living that hurts.

Did you know I have a brother?

Or I had one. I don't know.

My Stevan.

It's been two years.

Two years since he disappeared.

He's not among the dead

so I can't bury him.

He's not among the prisoners.

He's not among the living

so I can't hug him.

The man simply vanished!

Vanished into thin air!

I asked for a transfer to Lika.

Know what they told me?

This isn't my private war.

It's someone's war, my dear
Luka.

It's a war for scum.

Not yours or mine, for sure.

We have good reason to believe
that MiIos is alive.

We'll find him.

We'll liberate him.

Know how big my Stevan is?

Three times my size.

KiII me. Who gives a fuck!

You wanna get killed, idiot?

Luka!

Hey, Luka!

You owe me a drink.

Your Tomo has worked everything out
just great!

What's so great?

Watch this...

Nothing up my sleeve and...

presto... chango!

Up you go, baby!

Stretch your legs.

See how brave she is.

A real revolutionary!

See her?

What did you do to her?

We did nothing. They wandered
over

to our side in the ambulance.

The doctor and the driver we...

When I saw her, I knew what I
had to do.

What will you do with her?

Exchange her.

She writes a letter to her
family,

we send it over to her side,

they give us MiIos, we give
them the girl

and it's peace in Bosnia!

Think it can work?

How can it not work?

Know her family name? Besirevic!

We can get MiIos

and something extra for her.

Does Aleksic know?

He won't make a fuss

so long as we keep out of h??
sight.

He has the UNPROFOR coming.

What'll you do with her now?

She's out of my hands now.

She's your prisoner.

I can't keep her. - What do you
mean?

It's only for a week or two at
the most.

How will I watch her?

Lock her in a room.

We don't have locks on the
doors.

She's a real dish.

See that?

I love it when folks
communicate!

We've met before.

Do you remember Smajo?

He was a male nurse at the
hospital.

Here's a towel. - They shot him.

His brains splattered all over
the car.

All over the seats.

They pushed the driver down a
gorge.

He rolled down like a broken
doll.

Then that man came up to me and
said:

"I know what I'm gonna do with
you."

I shut my eyes and I thought:

"That's it. It's the end."

I started to shake like a leaf.

It's warm in here. Dry yourself
off.

Your hands and legs.

What's happened to all of us?

My father always told me

that God isn't a blind cat

unaware of what he's doing.

He knows and sees everything.

My son says God didn't play dice
when he created the universe.

He read that in a magazine.
Einstein said it.

And now he's a prisoner, too.

Who is? - My son, MiIos.

Get some rest.

Sorry, have your tea.

Let's go, Zujka.

We're at war. It often happens.

The power station's down. Don't
be afraid

It's okay. I brought you some
breakfast.

Would you like to use the
"banya"?

How do you say "banya"?

We call it a bath. - We say
bath, too.

It's over there. Wait a second.

I don't know if there's hot
water.

The power comes and goes.

Let's make a deal.

I can't treat you like a
prisoner.

I know you're from a rich
family.

I'm... - I know.

Write a nice letter to your
people

so they know you're here.

Then we exchange you.

MiIos comes home and you go
home, too.

And Bosnia will be at peace. Be
patient.

Is it a deal?

To end on a pathetic note,

as Shakespeare's King Lear did,

I think it's ever more clear

that the Serbian nation

is more sinned against than
sinning.

Neighbor!

Come in! Be right with you!

I've been calling but no one
answers.

Doing a big cleanup?

I didn't ask her to.

She's doing it on her own.
Come take a look.

She says she's bored. Come look
at this.

You couldn't move around in
here before.

It's all spic-and-span.

Nothing like a woman's touch!

A cheese pie!

It's almost done.

She do your bedroom, too? - Oh,
come on!

Where is she now? - In the hall.

You keep her in the hall?

No, you ??iot! She's cleaning
it.

That's some cleaner!

Keep her locked up?

No. She's already a prisoner

just being here.

But you do tie her up at night?

I don't tie her up.

Did you hide the knives?

Of course not. What for?

Personally, I'd be afraid

to sleep in this house.

She could cut your throat

while you're asleep.

Cut my throat? She's a normal
girl.

She's a nurse. - A nurse?

They first learn to cut throats.

I read it in a book,

"Secrets of War", Arnold
Schwarzenegger.

First they slash you like
this...

then pretend to stitch it up.

You're full of shit.

Full of shit? - Know how much?

How much? - Past your eyeballs!

Maybe so.

Good evening.

Where is she going?

To take a bath. - A bath?

I haven't had one since the war
started.

I can believe it.

Nor do I intend to.

I can believe that, too.

Know how to play chess? No?

Then what are you doing here?

Out! Shame on you! You have no
manners!

See that?

A lovely girl!

It suits you better than
Jadranka.

Who said you could touch her
clothes?

I'm sorry.

Who said you could?

Don't gape at me like that!

Did you ask permission?

Did you ask for permission?

How dare you take without
asking?

Take that off!

Take that off right now!

Where are you going? Come back
here.

She makes herself at home!

As if she owned the place!

The nerve of the bitch! Take
these!

Stop crying!

Touch her th??gs again and I'll
kill you.

Is that clear?

I'll give you my clothes.
They're clean.

I have clothes...

Shut up!

Get up quick!

Go and change.

Use my belt if it's too big.

And write that exchange letter.

Why so hard on the girl?

She wants to dress up

and I don't even know ?? MiIos
is alive!

Shall we have that pie now?

Forget the pie. First the
letter.

Get upstairs.

Write your people you're fine.

They must search the?? prisons
for MiIos.

For an exchange.

Write all that.

It's my sister-in-law's.

See if anything fits.

Take your pick. She doesn't
need them.

She left for Germany.

She'll buy more stuff there.

I'm not worried about her.

Sabaha...

Can I ask you something?

Go ahead.

Do you have a boyfriend?

Why do you ask?

Are you promised to someone?

Girls still do that here?

I haven't gone out with girls

in a long time.

How do I look?

You look fine.

How do you like this one?

Here they come again,

the businessmen patriots!

Now we'll get better acquainted.

Luka!

What are you doing?

I'm sealing the tunnel!

You spent a year opening it

and now you seal it.

It was an order. - An order?

How will the freight train pass?

That's why I'm closing it.

Did the order come from Aleksic?

Yes. There's no food or
medicine around

but plenty of oil and
cigarettes.

We didn't build this l??e for
smugglers.

Aleksic the idealist!

You know what wise people say:

''No one's candle burns tiII
dawn."

Sabaha!

Are you asleep?

No, I'm not.

You know, I had a good friend
at college.

Tell me about him.

He was a Muslim.

Stay here, Zujka.

Zaim from Vakuf.

You say "jaran"?

We also say "friend."

He liked railroads, too. A
great guy!

The things we went through
together!

And never an argument!

He was like my right hand.
There's no one like him among Serbs.

Nor among Muslims, I'm sure.

You asleep, Sabaha?

I'm not asleep.

Want me to go on?

Go on.

Luka, I'm scared.

Can I come into your room?

Sure. Why not?

I've met a lot of Muslims.

Ever meet a Muslim girl?

What do you mean?

Sure I did.

Is that Nada's nightie?

Yes. Should I take it off?

No, why should you take it off?

It's a nice nightie.

It's okay.

Shame on you!

You'll get a backache like that.

Come up here.

Enough. Out you go!

Don't be afraid. It'll stop.

I'll go back when it's over.

Do you smell like that

or is it Nada's nightie?

How do your people say "sevdah"
?

We don't say it.

Oh, Luka, what are we going to
do?

Janjus! - Yes, sir.

Eliminate that nest!

The Muslims are advancing. Run
for it!

Why? What's happening?

Don't ask! Everyone's on the
run!

And our army?
Aleksic is helping civilians.

That's no way to fight.

You're trying to teach me?

Run! - But the raiIway!

Screw the railway! Run for your
life!

I won't leave without you.

Hold on, engineer!

The girl's a Muslim. Capt.
Aleksic says

if anything happens to her
he'll kill you

Got that?

Follow me, engineer.

Don't be afraid.

You heard what Aleksic said.

I'm cold.

You studied nursing?

Veljo!

Yes, I did.

Why?

Petkov??'s sister-in-law is in
labor.

There's no doctor?

I wouldn't be here otherwise.

Go and be careful.

Go on if you can manage it.

Hot water, quick!

Heat it up!

I need a sheet, too.

See the baby?

Look at his hair.

Isn't he cute?

She was great! Petkovic can't
get over it

She really saved the day.

I'll go ask Aleksic
if we keep running or go back.

I borrowed accessories.

What accessories?

For shaving.

I was thinking...

your sideburns look more like
boots.

Boots?

Well, if they really look like
boots,

then off they come!

You're starting to creep ??to
my soul.

How will I ever part with you?

Why part with me?

For the exchange.

The letter should've arrived by
now.

The Besirevics must've reacted.

I have to tell you something.

What?

I'm not one of those Besirevics.

What do you mean?

My dad's old and retired.

He doesn't know any VIPs

and they don't know him.

But the letter!

You made me write it.

But you said... - I didn't say
anything.

That was Tomo.

When he heard my name he said:

"I know you Besirevics.

"You're all "beys".

"I know you like the back of my
hand.

"You're strong as death."

You should have told me!

I was afraid of you.

Afraid?

And now you're not afraid?

A little afraid.

A little afraid?

You've led me up the garden path.
So you're a little afraid?

Don't, Luka. I'm sorry.

"I'm sorry''? I don't want your
"sorry."

All I've heard from you

is ''I'm sorry! '' and "I'm
afraid!"

Have you ever given MiIos a
thought?

Who can he say "I'm sorry" to?

That he's afraid?

You only watch your own ass!

So what if M?eos is rotting in
prison!

No, Luka! It's not my fault!

Not your fault? We lost so much
time.

We might have got him out by
now.

It's my fault. I'm sorry.

As far as I'm concerned,
you've no reason to be afraid now.

You're no longer my prisoner.

You're nothing to me.

I'm nothing to you?

That's right, you're free as a
bird.

Hear what I said?

You're free to go.

The Petkovics will bless you.

Go to Veljo, he can help you.

Did you hear me?

Get lost!

Is it really you?

This was my late father's house.

I was born here.

Have a look.

Shall I clean up a bit?

Clean up?

Love?

This isn't for your eyes, old
girl.

You've had enough for a
lifetime.

It's like a drug. God spare me
that.

When I saw you today
I thought: Dear God!

I had a woman. Milica from Vis.

So her name was Milica?

Something like that.

She saw these big grapes
at the Zvornik market.

The ones with seeds like...

Pardon my language.

Don't spoiI my dinner. - No...

Like pigeon shit.

She said:

"Bring me those grapes and I'll
be yours"

I got her the grapes. She was
so happy.

She took me by the hand
and led me up to the hayloft.

The hay smells wonderful up
there.

It seems to beckon to you.
Get to the point.

I will but I don't want to be
vulgar.

How do you say it?

You made love. - That's it.

I made love and she ate the
grapes.

That's when I got
fundamentally disappointed.

You're far from the railroad.

I almost didn't find you.

Where have you been?

Filipovic wants me dead.

How do you know that? - Through
Tomo.

You know, he's ACIDC.

You can lie low here.

You know too much.

Do you mean...

I'm in danger, too?

You can blow the whistle on him.

You know all the profits he's
made!

So...

we don't have a choice.

Nope.

You know, it's him or us.

Just tell us how to get to
Tunnel 46.

I know who sealed it up.

That jerk-off did it!

He mined the tunnel.

What do I do with him?

I'll fuck him good.

Is this number 0190...

This is Hotline Lily.

Are you calling from a
satellite phone?

Of course, I am.

Your credit card number.

One moment, please.

Hello, pussycat

I've been waiting to hear from
you.

I'm so excited!

I'm a Serbian stallion.

Cut it out!

I have a big dick.

Big caliber.

That's nice!

Where are you, honey?

Oh, fuck!

I speak a little bit German.

That's not a problem.

Come on. Let's play.

Now.

C'mon, my Serbian stallion.

Let me have it!

Slower!

Faster! Faster!

We killed a man, Vujan.

Forget that.

We have to get rid of your
fever.

Have some tea.

Could you kill a man, Sabaha?

Know what my father says?

"If I were hungry and had a
chicken,

it'd be hard for me to kill it,

"but I would if I had to."

I'm not talking about a chicken.

Do you see my MiIos, Vujan?

As soon as I close my eyes

I see MiIos, too.

He's alive.

Alive?

He's putting his hand to his
head

as if he were thinking of
something.

He's quite a boy.

I can see him clearly.

When the forest was ours,
father and I came here every day.

He dragged you here Sundays too
like you drag me?

Sundays too.

Neighbor!

Good news! Luka, good news!

Thank God
I can deliver good news to someone.

About MiIos?

Not MiIos, but that will come.

Take a guess.

It's Jadranka.

Your wife is back, my dear Luka.

I knew everything would work
out.

Shall we have a game
to celebrate the occasion?

MiIos will be home.

Know who I met? Captain Aleksic.

He swore that MiIos had been found and
that he's all right. It's all a matter...

of procedure.

Look at this mess.

But it will be fine.

Just look at this bed. Oh, my
Luka!

You can tell there's no woman
around.

Shall I make coffee?

Beg your pardon?

Did Veljo speak to me?

Coffee and schnapps, to
celebrate!

This doesn't happen every day.

With or without sugar?

Sugar.

For me, too.

Is she with Veljo?

She's nothing to Veljo.

You know, I'm not crazy.

Good.

Beautiful, too.

Where did you find her?

They brought her to Luka for an
exchanges

That's when I met her.

I knew your Luka was a great
man, Jadran,

but this time he outdid himself.

The way he watches over her
and takes care of her!

The way he protects her!

Are you cold?

He's with her day and night.

What's your name?

A Muslim.
We give them Sabaha, they give us MiIos.

Who is she? Who is this hussy?

I'm not a hussy.

Come over here.

Take those clothes off! - Stop
it!

You stay here! You, over there!

How dare you meddle in my life!

Must our son come home
to find that whore in this house?

Shame on you!

You prefer the cymbalist?

Don't mention that asshole!

He played his swan song?

But she's a lovely girl! - I'm
shaking!

Sit here.

Veljo, will you shut up!

Why should I shut up?
You're full of shit!

I'll carve my name on your ass,
you little bitch!

Stop it!

Enough of this!

You won't stain
our father's honorable house!

Back inside!
Not this household!

So long as the Djukics live,

I, Jadranka E Radovanovic,
won't allow it, you little whore!

What are you saying?

Luka, can't you see she put
a Muslim curse on your piIIow!

I'm so worried!

You, worried?

Try to help a bit and you eat shit!

Go home, Luka.
Leave me alone.

I won't go home alone.
You're not alone now.

I'm alone, I tell you.

If only the train came...

Would you leave?

No.

I would just sit here.

What's wrong, g??l?
Who'd stay with me then?

Let's go. It's cold.

We have nowhere to go.

We have plenty of places to go.

We'll go to Austral?}. That far
enough?

By raiIway? - Sure.

But walking along the tracks.
OK.

After this tunnelm
there's a slight incline.

A 4% incline. 700 ties.

You know how many ties?

I know everything here.

Then comes a curve. Then over the Rzav
and straight on to the Drina.

What's that?

Engineer!

Vladan! - The Captain's wa??ing
for you.

I've seen enough madness in
this war.

Be reasonable.

I am, but I won't let her go.

Your wife's back and MiIos will
be, too.

Let the girl go.
I won't.

Both sides are exchanging
prisoners.

She's on UNPROFOR's list.

If you don't let her go...

The jeep's here
to take her to the Red Cross

They'll check her name.

No way!
Stay back! - Don't shoot.

Are you out of your mind?

Not that way! This way!

DownhiII to the Drina!

Watch out for the mines!

Watch out! - I'll fall!

That's the Drina! It's so wide.

It seemed small from above.

Were you serious
about us going to Australia?

Sure. We just cross the Dr??a
into Serbia

I have to pee.

She's no cow, idiot.

That's Romeo and Juliet.

You ain't got no culture.

How do we get across?

You'll see.

What the fuck is that?
What does he feed her?

Australia.

I dreamed of the Drina once.

I was sitting on the bank watching
the river flow by.

It was flowing
but I felt uneasy about something.

What about me?

You came later.

Then something crazy dawned on
me.

I thought:
It can't just flow like this.

It has to stop somewhere.

I wanted to see that.

Did it stop?

It stopped.

For a second, but still!

You could walk over it
from Bosnia into Serbia.

It dried up?

No, it just stopped for a
second.

It turned and flowed uphiII.

Were you scared?

Me scared? Who do you think I
am?

No more pissing in the Drina!

Our Drina is Mecca and Medina!

Hey, Chetnik!

We bled your Chetnik girl,
and now we're gonna bleed you, too.

I'm going to die.

No, you won't. Don't be afraid.

Know when you'll get to
Goradze? Never!

What would we do in Australia?

What would we do here?

I like this brook.

So do I.

What'd we do there? How would
we live?

I worked it all out.

A big country with not many
railroads.

And ?? you can't?
Can't what?

BuiId a railroad.

Maybe they don't need it.

How can they not need a
railroad?

Look at Japan.

Nothing but railroads!

Come on. Aleksic is waiting.

Lean back.

I must stop the bleeding, to
tighten it.

Will we have chiIdren there?

Sure we will.

Aleksic!

Come quick!

Quick!

What's up? - Don't ask.

Quick, find her vein! - She
bleed a lot?

All day long. Hurry!

What her blood type?
I don't know. Can I give mine?

Hurry up!

We'll go ve?? to ve??.
Pump quickly.

You'll be accountable. - Yes.

Keep talking to her.

Look at me.

You know there's no winter in
Australia?

You go into the water when you
want.

You can swim as much as you
like.

It's at the end of the earth.

No one can bother you.

No one? - No one.

There's a beach
where penguins go every night.

At 7:55, one shows up,
and at 8:00 there are thousands.

They walk around the beach.

People watch them and they watch
people and walk around.

Take me there?
Every day.

And the kids? - Of course.

A friend working in Russia
once fucked a penguin.

There are no penguins in Russia.
But he caught one.

He said it felt ecstatic.

Sheep and goats screech like
crazy.

A penguin just stands there!

She can see it here.

You know where it is?

See that globe? - Move it closer.

Stick a naiI in where we are,

it would come out in Australia.

God, 7.9 mm!

How's her pulse? - Weak.

Oxygen, quick!

It will be all right, I tell
you.

What are her chances?

Slim. We're doing our best.

That woman mustn't die.

We're doing our best. - Remember
that!

Aleksic got our papers ready.

He'll take us to Belgrade, he
will.

I got some money from him.

Enough for the trip.

After we get airsick piIIs,

we'll still have enough for 2
tickets.

You won't need two.

Don't fall asleep! Wake up!

Doctor, her heart stopped.

Do something!

Oxygen, quick!

Delibasic Damir, Pasik Zeljko.

I'm cold. - I'll get my coat.

For our MiIos.

I'm accompanying her!

That woman needs a coat.

I don't see my Luka.

I didn't even say goodbye.

Luka, come here.

Stop!

Stop, soldier!

You can't just shoot him.

I don't want to go home!
Let her by.

This how you show your joy?

You're not crying again!

How can I not cry?

Never a spark of intelligence!

What's she saying?

Forget her. She's a dope.

Mother!

MiIos, you're alive!

Dandelions!

What did we do to deserve this?

It's springtime.

Geese mother, geese.

Don't you see that hawk?

Are the roots intact?

Leave our geese alone, you
beast!

They slashed my ball.

Fuck them!

MiIos is smart as hell.

If it wasn't for his head injury,
He'd be a Telsa.

Yes, he's smart.

But try being smart all your life,
and in the end you can't prove anything.

It's all theory.

After Hiroshima, there's no
more theory.

Dear Captain, Hiroshima is in
our house.

It's all in your head.
It's got nothing to do with Hiroshima.

I know what's in your head.

You don't.

I do.

I was in love once, too.

You know,
I finished military school & got a rank.

My brother had a daughter.
I fell in love with her.

Then, of course, bang!

I was transferred. Then the war
came.

What is it, MiIos?

A piece of shit!

What piece of shit?

A human turd.

On the piIIow.

That's good luck, son.

There's something sick
about falling in love.

You don't see the sense of
things anymore

Have you looked for her?

How? By magic?

I'm a soldier & she's in
another country.

You're different, Luka.

You're not a damn sold??r like me.
You're not the enemy.

Let's go by headquarters.

Oh, Captain,
someone screwed up.

Someone miscalculated.

Because the bullet ?? slower
than a satellite signal.