Watch Promise Me This

Promise Me This is a heartwarming comedic drama from Serbia, released in 2007. The movie revolves around the story of an old man named Tsane, played by Uros Milovanovic, who lives in a tiny rural village with his granddaughter, named Aska, portrayed by Marija Petronijevic. Tsane is a fun-loving grandfather who loves to tell tall tales to his granddaughter, and in the movie, he narrates a fantastical story of a magical place where wishes come true.

Meanwhile, Aska is a charming and hardworking girl who is in love with a boy named Ljubiša, portrayed by Marija Makulovic. But Ljubiša’s family is poor, and they do not want him to marry Aska. The plot of the movie unfolds as Tsane tries to fulfill Aska’s wish of getting married to Ljubiša and the hilarious circumstances that it leads to.

The movie also features a parallel storyline that adds to the overall charm of Promise Me This. Aleksandar Bercek, who is one of the most famous Serbian actors, plays the role of a professor called Horvat. Horvat is a character who complains about everything, and he is on a quest to find a lost Roman aqueduct in the same village where Tsane and Aska live. Horvat is a learned man who often belittles the other characters, but his character arc changes as the movie progresses, and he becomes more empathetic towards the locals.

Promise Me This is a bankable movie, and it brings together some of the best talent from Serbian cinema. The central themes of the movie are love, family, and community, which are often explored in the Balkan cinema. But the movie also carries a universal message of fulfillment and embracing joy in our lives. The movie is a perfect blend of humor, drama, and pathos, and it captures the essence of the rural Serbian life with heartening accuracy.

The movie’s lead actor Uros Milovanovic, who portrays Tsane, was not a professional actor, but he delivers a memorable performance. Milovanovic adds warmth and humor to his role and is the reason behind the movie’s feel-good factor. Marija Petronijevic, who portrays Aska, is a young actress and provides an endearing performance as the vivacious granddaughter of Tsane.

Aleksandar Bercek, who plays Professor Horvat, is a seasoned actor, and his nuanced portrayal of the character is one of the movie’s highlights. Bercek brings his flair and craft to the role, and as the character progresses, so does he, making his character arc one of the most satisfying ones in the movie.

Promise Me This is directed by the renowned Serbian director Emir Kusturica, who has previously directed critically acclaimed movies like Time of Gypsies and Underground. Kusturica captures the picturesque rural Serbian landscapes and the lives of its inhabitants with profound detail, and this gives the movie an authentic feel.

The movie’s score, composed by Stribor Kusturica, who is Emir Kusturica’s son, adds to the overall charm of Promise Me This. The score gives the movie a whimsical and playful tone, which complements the lighthearted scenes in the movie.

In conclusion, Promise Me This is a delightful movie that captures the essence of Serbian rural life with a vivid passion. The movie has a feel-good factor that can put a smile on anyone’s face. The movie explores universal themes of love, family, and community that can resonate with the audiences worldwide. The performances of the lead actors, the direction, and the score make this movie one of the best Serbian movies of all time. Whether you are a fan of Balkan cinema or not, Promise Me This is a movie that you should not miss.