Black Cat, White Cat

Black Cat, White Cat

****

Reviewed by: Angus Wolfe Murray

Emir Kusturica is from Sarajevo. He makes films that put flesh on your feelings (When Father Was Away On Business), power your imagination (Underground) and introduces the dangerous, wild passions of Eastern Europe's travelling people (Time Of The Gypsies).

He is back amongst the earthy, gun-toting, gypsy bandits, to whom the rule of law is as relevant as a dead horse. These guys scam, cheat, steal and lie as naturally as breathing. Their value systems are different: honour the head of the family, marry to order, shoot on sight and don't renege on a deal.

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The story of a wedding between the reluctant offspring of two friendly gangs in a place where pigs eat cars and the lavatory is a hole in the ground, is exacerbated by the groom's desire to run away with the daughter of the barkeeper and the bride's insistence on a love match, preferrably with a gentle giant, because of her diminutive size.

The humour is rough and roaring, both farcical and inventive. The part amateur cast throw themselves into the maelstrom with abandon. It is like nothing else, which is where Kusturica prefers to be, creating chaos from chaos, laughing fit to burst. Anarchy Rules OK?

Reviewed on: 19 Jan 2001
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Black Cat, White Cat packshot
Wedding between gangs sparks comedy.
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Director: Emir Kusturica

Writer: Emir Kusturica, Gordan Mihic

Starring: Severdzan Bajram, Florijan Ajdini

Year: 1998

Runtime: 135 minutes

BBFC: 15 - Age Restricted

Country: France-Germany

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