Watch Father

Father is a drama film from 2020 that tells the story of a German man named Nikola who returns to Serbia after years of living abroad when he receives news that his estranged father is dying. As he travels to his hometown, Nikola reflects on his complicated relationship with his father, who was abusive to him and his siblings when they were children.

Nikola arrives in Serbia and finds his father in a hospital bed, barely conscious and unresponsive. Also present is his younger brother, Branko, who never left Serbia and has been taking care of their father in his old age. Nikola and Branko have a strained relationship, with Branko resenting his brother for leaving the country and their family behind.

The film unfolds over the course of a few days as Nikola and Branko navigate their feelings towards each other and their father. Nikola struggles with guilt about leaving his family behind and not being there for his father, while Branko resents his brother for seemingly abandoning them.

The performances in Father are incredibly powerful, with Goran Bogdan delivering a nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal of Nikola. His pain and guilt are palpable, and his complicated feelings towards his father are evident in every scene. Boris Isakovic is also excellent as Branko, bringing depth and complexity to a character who easily could have been portrayed as a one-dimensional villain.

Nada Sargin as the brothers' mother appears in a few scenes throughout the film, but her presence is keenly felt as Nikola and Branko grapple with the impact of their parents' troubled marriage on their own lives.

The film is beautifully shot, with director Srdan Golubovic capturing the stark beauty of Serbia's countryside and the grittiness of its urban areas. The score is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the film's overall melancholic tone.

At its core, Father is a film about the complexities of family relationships and the lingering effects of trauma. It's a moving and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to reconcile with one's past and the people who shaped it.

Overall, Father is a must-see film for anyone interested in emotionally resonant, character-driven dramas. The performances and cinematography are outstanding, and the story is both heart-wrenching and cathartic. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Father is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 80.