Watch Tito and Me

Tito and Me is a 1992 Yugoslavian film that follows the story of a young boy, Zoran, who lives in Belgrade with his family during the 1950s. Zoran is fascinated with the life of the country's then-president, Josip Broz Tito. He has images of him all over his room, and he imagines conversations with him. Zoran's father, a communist Party official, is enthusiastic about Tito as well, and he insists that Zoran attend a Party summer camp in the countryside.

At the camp, Zoran finds himself struggling to fit in with the other kids who constantly tease him about his fascination with Tito. He is, however, able to make friends with two boys named Dusan and Buda. Dusan is a rebellious type, and Buda is an overweight, kind-hearted boy who quickly becomes Zoran's best friend. Zoran soon discovers that Buda's mother is a Serb-hating Croatian nationalist, which leads to some teasing from the other kids.

Despite the challenges, Zoran enjoys his time at the camp, especially when he learns that Tito himself will be visiting them. He imagines a conversation with Tito about his dreams and ideals, but the reality is very different. Tito is surrounded by an entourage of bodyguards and handlers, and he seems unapproachable to Zoran.

As the summer camp comes to an end, Zoran learns some hard truths about the nature of politics and friendship. His father is dismissed from his Party job due to his involvement in a scandal, and Zoran sadly says goodbye to Buda as they part ways. The film ends with a shot of Zoran on a bus heading back to Belgrade, looking out at the countryside and contemplating what he's learned.

Tito and Me is a poignant coming-of-age story that captures both the idealism and disillusionment of growing up in a communist state. It was directed by Goran Markovic, who himself grew up in Yugoslavia, and it has a slight autobiographical element to it. Markovic's father was also a Party official who was dismissed from his job, just like Zoran's father.

The film is also a subtle commentary on the Yugoslav Wars that tore the country apart in the 1990s. The friendship between Zoran and Buda, who come from different ethnic backgrounds, is a reminder that such friendships were possible in the past, which seems almost unimaginable during the height of the country's nationalist fever.

The performances in Tito and Me are uniformly excellent, particularly the young actor Dimitrije Vojnov, who plays the role of Zoran with a mix of innocence and bravery. Lazar Ristovski and Predrag Manojlovic, who play Zoran's father and Tito respectively, bring depth and nuance to their roles, showing the complexities of life in a communist state.

The cinematography is also noteworthy, with beautiful shots of the Yugoslav countryside contrasting with the grim atmosphere of the Party camp. The film's use of archival footage of Tito is also effective, creating a sense of historical authenticity.

Overall, Tito and Me is a powerful film that captures both the idealism and disillusionment of growing up in a communist state. It is a reminder of the importance of friendship and the power of ideology, and it is a rare look at a period of history that is often overlooked in Western cinema.