Pride

The ethnic conflict in the Balkans is likely to be eternal, and mixed into that is the general hostility toward the gay community. Taking these realities and making a film that is both funny and touching at the same time seems almost impossible to me. And behold, the creators of the film Pride succeeded in doing just that. While there are a few clichés present, overall it's an original, mostly humorous spectacle with a bitter ending and a significant human dimension. (2020.03.18)

A wild ride through the Balkans that didn’t quite know whether it wanted to be a comedy or a drama, but either way, Parada delivers. The premise feels like pure satire—until you remember that in Serbia (and much of the Balkans), there are still plenty of tough guys you wouldn't want to cross, especially if you're queer. But the film handles it with surprising ease, and honestly, the road trip to recruit war veterans from all sides of the former Yugoslavia had me laughing out loud. If it had kept that same energy until the end, this would’ve been an easy five-star for me. The creators went for something different toward the finish, but I still have to give them major credit. Parada is a quality film that deserves a watch, especially for anyone who loves the Balkans—and a good movie. (2020.12.21)

With political correctness spreading around and infesting everything, I’m becoming increasingly fond of films made in Hungary and the Balkans. It must be a real adrenaline rush to fight for one's rights in countries where dialogue can only begin if both sides survive the first encounter. I was far from disappointed. The distinctive Balkan humor (which really suits me) enriched the central serious theme, and the road trip around the former Yugoslavia almost made me laugh my head off. The film was populated with quirky characters and kept me entertained until the end credits. (2021.10.03)