My Beautiful Country (2012) - full transcript

Kosovo, 1999. As the civil war between Serbs and Albanians rages, hatred has replaced tolerance, and towns are brutally divided along ethnic lines. The young Serbian widow Danica lives with her two sons Vlado and Danilo in a predominantly Serbian community close to a small town which the River Ibar divides into an Albanian and a Serbian section. The death of Danica's husband at the hands of the Albanians has left profound traces in the family. Little Danilo has not spoken a word since, and Vlado has become a hooky-playing loner who dreams of owning a bright blue bicycle. In order to be able to afford it, he dives into the Ibar every day to catch fish which the kiosk owner buys from him for a few coins. In spite of the war, everyone in the community strives to lead normal lives. But one day, Danica returns from town to find a seriously injured Kosovo-Albanian soldier, Ramiz, in her house. Though aware that he is on the run from the Serbian militia, Danica takes Ramiz in and nurses him back to health, thus exposing herself and the children to danger. Bombs are now falling every day, and a wrecked, burned-out tank destroyed by NATO bombs becomes the children's favorite playground. No one suspects that the bombs have radioactively contaminated the wreck. The love slowly blossoming between Danica and Ramiz comes to an abrupt end when Ramiz is denounced by Danica's neighbor and has to flee to the Albanian side. The mute Danilo also unwittingly ends up there. Although the bridge over the Ibar has been closed, Danilo's older brother Vlado manages to contact Ramiz, who finds the little boy and vows to bring him back to Danica...

Kosovo, 1999. Conflicts
among the Christian Orthodox Serbs

and the Albanian Muslim majority
in the province of Kosovo

they devastated Yugoslavia
for decades.

In 1999 they changed
in a war.

NATO on March 24, 1999
begins to bomb Yugoslavia,

to avoid massive evacuation
of the Albanians of Kosovo.

The Ibar river represents a border
natural between the two peoples.

Vlado!

- Wait for your brother.
- Why?

Because I say so.

Quicker!



You are welcome!

Mum, once again,
he has no time to eat.

Dano,

write to NATO to wait
until we ate.

They know that not in the evening
you should eat.

Do not tell me!

How many things do those know.

Damn NATO!

Good evening.

Hi, Nana, how's it going?

What's up?

Nothing special.

Has your Albanian returned?

You really have a handsome father!



He dumped you like a bucket
of garbage.

When are you two getting married?

Hello, Albanians!

Do you want our land?

Then learn our dances!

Ene, mene, mixed,

he slams into the box.

And you...

six...

out!

A step forward.

A step forward!

One last wish?

A request?

A poem perhaps?

Please don't do this.

I have three young children.

Three small, very small,
very small...

Watch out:
Our hymn, second verse.

Come on!

Second verse.

Second verse!

Be cursed ...

the traitor ...

of his homeland.

C'est la vie!

You are hurt.

Five minutes ahead.

Go!

Albanian side, Serbian side.
Albanian side, Serbian side.

I can not swim.

He can't swim!

Shit!

You have had luck ad
meet me!

Such a kind guy.

A man with a good heart!

Take it.

I warn you...

next time I'll shoot you.

THE BRIDGE ON IBAR

Our father who art in heaven,

blessed be your name.

Come your kingdom.

Thy will be done,

so in heaven, as on earth.

Give us our bread today
daily,

and forgive our sins,

as we forgive them
to our debtors.

Amen.

I come!

I know exactly where you are, Danilo!

You fell for it again!

You fell for it again!

What should I do with Danilo?

You should see it.

In the choir everyone sings,
only he keeps his mouth shut.

Keep not talking.

What are you watching?
You promised to stay with me.

I hate you wholeheartedly.

Very well!

I know what you want.

Forget it!

I said no.

You are...

mine...

chocolate.

I am...

your chocolate.

Now I'll get you!

Stand up!

You never stop, do you?

Come on, take me!

Now stop!

You come!

Come here!

Come here!

Now you're in trouble!

Stop stop!

Stop that!

Leave it!

Mom?

- Yes?
- Who hurt that man?

I do not know.

Why did you come to us?

I don't know, honey.

Why don't you call a doctor?

Ramiz Ferizi.

But it's Albanian!

Don't make your mother angry.

If you touch my kids,
I kill you.

Don't put your elbows on
table!

First!

Why do you wear pajamas
of the Albanian dad?

I just lent it to her.

Why did daddy die?

Dad is not dead, he's in heaven.

Come.

Mom,

will the Albanian kill us?

Who knows if he will spend the night.

What if it survives?

Do not worry.

Mom is careful.

Sleep now.

If the pilot had sneezed,

the bombs would have fallen on us
and we would all be dead!

Who is the idiot who parked
here your tank?

They could all kill us.

I suggest...

to celebrate this day together
from now on.

Do you agree?

Vlado, don't touch.

Have you ever seen a dead man?

Me neither.

Where do they take it?

By plane?

Danilo!

Let them play.

I don't like when they play
to war.

They just pretend to play
to war.

Sorry.

Danica ...

- It's about your son.
- Yes?

He's a good boy, though ...

I only took it because
she asked me.

Even if he doesn't sing,

should at least pretend.

It should open its mouth.
To ... or ... i

Do you understand?

Danilo!

Here is one more.

Look.

See how sharp it is?

In this we see better.

They look the same.
What can it be?

Belgrade announces

a new bombing
of NATO planes.

There have been new civilian casualties
between the Albanians and Serbs.

Apparently, they have been used
illegal ammunition.

NATO has stated that i
bombings will continue until ...

Milosevic will not stop the repression
of the Albanians.

There was a big one like that!

You fell asleep again
with a cigarette?

Where's the big fish?

It is already in the Black Sea!

I have to go.

Thank you.

But not for cigarettes!

I quit two weeks ago!

The money should have been here long ago.

Belgrade no longer sends pensions.

I'm sorry.

What am I supposed to live with?
I have kids.

- I have a right, do you understand?
- I'm sorry.

We are all sorry.

Mom, the fridge is empty.

I know. Today I do the shopping.

Good morning.

I'm going shopping.

I got the money from her purse.

Here we go.

Thank you.

Stop!

- Where are you going?
- On the other side.

- Don't go there.
- Why?

It is too dangerous.

They will shoot you. Go back!

I don't want to see you here anymore.

Hi, Vlado.

Hi, Fatso.

What's new?

Nothing.

You don't come to school anymore.

Don't they let you cross?

He said they shoot us.

Do you have a bicycle?

Sure.

You want to come with us?

See you.

Get your nose out of my window!

Do you have the money now?

- Soon.
- Soon...

If you wait too long, it will be gone.

After ... you can continue to dream.

I will have them soon.

My mother also had a shirt
by night so.

With butterflies.

Thanks for not betraying me.

Do I have to sleep in the kitchen?

No, it's okay.

My dad promised me a bike,
then he died.

I remember that...

my father came back once
from a trip.

Sometimes he spent a whole month away.

That day he brought me
a pocket watch.

That watch is the only thing
that I have left of him.

Flies should sit down
they leave.

Cows cannot sit.

- Why?
- Because they're stupid.

What if they wear pants?

Kiki, Bobo!

Look who's there.

Pap!

Pap!

- Who gave birth to you?
- Dad!

- Not mom?
- No, dad!

Good boy!

Watch out for the kids.

Who knows what they shot with
to the tank.

I don't want to see you with that anymore
Albanian.

- His place isn't here.
- Patko, please!

I don't want you to play war!
It's clear?

Say something!

Where have you been so far?

I'm talking to you!

Vlado, come already!

Danilo!

Come to mom.

What's wrong with you today?

Why are you alone, Vlado?

These are dangerous times.

As you want!

Why do you go on these broken roads?

- Where should we go?
- From another part.

At the Tour de France.

Let's count a little.

They are not enough.

And now?

I will bring the rest.

When?

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is fine.

Do you want a juice?

I have to earn some money.

Yugoslav experts say

that NATO uses ammunition
with depleted uranium,

that, after prolonged exposure,
they can cause serious illness.

These dangerous substances

are released at the moment
explosion

and scattered by the wind over long distances.

Mom!

Danilo stepped on a chicken.

Why did you come to us?

We don't have a cellar,
we have to go to the neighbor.

His Albanian stabbed
Maria's cousin.

Nana, come to us.

Nana, your father kills people
innocent?

Shut up!

Shut your beak once!

You and your shit cellar!

- Milena, where are you going?
- Thing?

I'm here!

Here!

It is not far.

And we ... are here.

You see?

Leave him alone, he is injured.

- Good morning darling.
- Good morning.

It's here...

Italy, France and Paris.

The Tour de France.

They cross by bicycle
also Germany, England.

There is the sea.

There is a tunnel under the sea.

Sure!

I know he's looking at me.

Then it is true that women
do they also have eyes behind?

Yes, it is true.

When did your husband die?

A year ago.

About what?

At war.

Since then Danilo has never spoken.

Now the choir director wants ...

open your mouth.

Otherwise I will kick him out.

What song is it?

"My beautiful country".

If my neighbor's door was
been opened,

would you sleep in your bed now?

Is cute?

He participated in the election
by Miss Pristina.

30 years ago.

Where have you been?

I'm talking to you!

Hello.

Hello.

Your father and you like to go
by bike?

Vlado!

Vlado, open the door.

Thank you.

My bag!

So, boy?

What's new?

Do you have a cigarette?

I?

I do not smoke.

Are you going to school?

No.

You can smoke and you can't go
at school?

We are teachers, you know.

You teach biology and I ...

French.

Why French?

Thank you.

It would be so, if everyone did
Comets.

I mean nothing.

I do not understand you.

Do you want to sing or not?

That's all for today.

She has no idea.

I find it right that you don't sing.

As soon as you males open your mouth,

you see how stupid you are.

There is nothing you can do about it.

What's going on with you?

You are sad?

What do we do now?

Go turn up the volume.

Goodbye.

Do you want a juice?

I'm in a hurry!

Watch out!

Do you remember when I jumped
from the bridge?

I was flying like a bird!

It is a reminder of my grandmother.

And was he a truck driver?

This is worth nothing.

I'm not a distributor
of chewing gum!

Can I have another one?

Which?

That.

How do you intend to pay?

With these and with those of yesterday.

I don't know anything about it.

I almost got it on.

I don't know anything about it, really.

I gave it to you yesterday.

Certainly not to me.

Why is he stupid?

Don't scream, you're not in school.
Get out!

Give me my money back!

Get lost!

- Here's your money.
- Fat pig!

Vlado, look, they have this
gifted the students.

Why do they let you cross?

We all love each other.

There are classes on both
the banks.

Dad and I trained there
for the Tour de France.

I was also on the Tour.

I was always everywhere.
The French pay well.

This is for you.

For me?

Come on, we're late.

Hello.

Did it simply appear?

Yes, that's right.

Where exactly?

Near the bridge.

My mother has a photo,
the woman looks like you.

It is on a box of chocolates.

I watched her every evening.

My first girlfriend!

Put something on.

I'm not cold.

Where exactly do you live?

- Do you know where the town hall is?
- Yes.

Close to the hospital?

The third street on the left.

My children were born there.

I haven't been to the other for centuries
part.

You are married?

No.

Do you have any?

No.

And I can't swim.

Really?

Sorry.

Dear Rosa ...

Do not play with me.

Open the door, Danilo!

What's up?

Let's try from the outside.

Danilo!

Come to mom!

Come.

Treasure.

Vlado, I'll kill you!

I think I saw Miss Pristina,
and she saw me too.

The conflict between the Serbs and the UCK (army
Albanian from Kosovo) is tightening.

The Albanians, lean on
by westerners,

they attack several Serbian emplacements.

But the most violent clashes

occurred on the
banks of the Ibar.

Where have you been so far?

I was waiting for you.

Sorry, I wanted to buy a bicycle.

Such a beautiful river is not
we will find nowhere else.

We will miss you.

Here is your bike.

It is old, but the tires are new.

It is a good bicycle.

I am a danger to you ...

and your children.

The situation is increasingly dangerous.

If I stay, they'll shoot us.

- I'm cooking. You would have...
- No!

Do you know what my husband has never been?

A coward.

As you want.

My father says you are
an Albanian bastard.

I don't know what it means.

Me neither.

Me neither.

Come, children!

So, children!

Hello.

Mom, look.

Thing?

- Did you get burned?
- No.

What is this? Come.

We put ice on it.

- It hurts?
- No.

- Are you sure?
- Yes.

According to reports from Pristina,

two Serbian soldiers were killed,

today and yesterday evening,

about 25 km from Pristina.

Two others were seriously injured.

It is difficult to verify it.

Journalists who were looking for
to do research on the spot,

they were stopped by men
with black uniforms

with the insignia of the UCK.

Today we have heard

of new strong gunfights

with machine guns and various weapons.

Mom!

He didn't have the courage
to come home.

Were you in the tank?

Take this out of his hand.

Throw it away!

Damn war!

You men with your wars!

A mother would not risk
the life of his son ...

for a piece of land.

Hey, Vlado.

Good morning.

Good evening.

- How's it going to school?
- Very well.

Tell me...

Do you happen to have a new dad?

Which is the best dad?

The Albanian is not my father!

Nana?

Nana! Nana!

Let me see.

Treasure!

Danilo, you can't come.

Get off.

Are you OK?

Mom, look.

What's going on with you?

Mom, I have a headache.

Don't worry, honey.
Everything will be fine.

We will be home soon.

Hi, Cevapcici!

Come on, Patko, it's hot.

Patko, where are you going?

Kiki is not well, Patko!

When is your birthday?

October 31st.

If we get lost,

we meet again on October 31st
to the Eiffel Tower.

Height scares me.

Wait up...

You can't swim,

height scares you ...

But who did I meet?

Danica!

Danica!

Stay here.

Hello.

Hi, Patko.

Neighbors say that
hide an Albanian.

Then they are more informed than I am.

"Then they are more informed than I am."

You know what happens, if not
Are you telling the truth?

Albanian!

Let me go!

This is my home!

This is my home!

Two things I can smell:

the snow...

and the Albanians.

Sweetheart.

Jelena!

Come on out, old witch!

Do you know why your husband left you?
Because you can't have children.

Come out, so I can see you!

Where are you, old spy?

Jelena!

I thought you recognized the sheep.

What about the boy?

Boy or girl, I have no idea.

Some children have
crossed the bridge.

I have not seen exactly.

Ehi you.

How are you?

You look like your father.

My nose is not that long.

Are you drunk?

Where's your brother?

Danilo!

A diplomatic solution
It is imminent.

Belgrade accepts the presence
of UN troops in Kosovo.

Although NATO continues to deny

to have used bombs
with depleted uranium,

a fact contradicts it:

A German UN soldier
he said publicly

to have received the order
not to go near the tanks,

bombed by NATO,

because ammunition could
be radioactive.

The Serbian army claims that

NATO has so far fired more
1000 missiles not allowed.

There is much fear of the consequences
on health,

as already in Bosnia and Herzegovina

and in the Middle East.

You must be glad that you
we found.

We have to

avenge our friends.

One by one.

Brother,

I met a person.

We will show the Serbs ...

what it means to take revenge.

The third street on the left
after the town hall.

His name is Ramiz Ferizi.

I wrote it all down.

It will be done.

I am looking for this child.

See you later, Ramiz.

missing

What do you do here?

Are you sick too?

Danilo?

What would you say,

if you, me, Vlado and mom

were we going to live far from here?

Wait here!

Now we can cross the bridge
to go back to your mom.

Unfortunately I cannot continue.

Go it alone. If they ask you questions,
speaks. You're capable.

See you soon.

Say hello to your brother.

And give your mother a kiss
for my part, ok?

A Serbian soldier.

A Serbian soldier dead, I hope!

Wasn't it Danilo?

Mom!

Why is it so dark?

Where have you been, idiot?

From Ramiz.

My dear...

I leave.

Where is Vlado?

I do not know.

Vlado!

Where are you going?

In Paris.

Where is it?

In Paris!

Did you sell your house?

Danica, please!

Don't you hate them too?

You don't have time with two kids
to hate.

On June 10, 1999, NATO
bombing suspended.

The war in Kosovo
it was officially over.

In March 2000, NATO admitted
for the first time,

the use of ammunition containing
Impoverished uranium.

The consequences are never
been revealed.

Conflicts between the two peoples
to date, they have not ceased.