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Novkovic-Markovic managed to deliver something that Serbian cinema needed so much: well written characters packed in a narrative that perfectly combines personal stories with a much bigger picture of a vanished country.

With "The Living Man" I was expecting a comedy (as marketed) but this Serbian picture presents itself more like a dramedy or tragicomedy. The heart of this film is definitely the brilliant acting performance of Nikola Djuricko, whose protagonist is burnt out and reminiscing about his good old days as a handsome rock musician. Miserable in his home he leaves his family behind and comes back to night clubs, dancing and partying. The overall pace of "The Living Man" is quite slow, which perhaps was meant to be in contrast with the energy of the story that contains disco and rock music and taking drugs. My opinion is that this narrative was done deliberately to show and make the viewers feel the immense difference between his past (party, drugs, music) and his present boring life (slow pace of the film). Eventhough the first act (the presentation of his unexciting life) lasts almost 40 minutes, it sets the path for the other half of the film (after he leaves his family) splendidly.

Majestic portrayal of a man not aware that many years passed and he's not a young Rocker that can stand anything without consequences. It's about the family, denying growing up, partying in Serbia and other personal delusions.

Nikola Djuricko is awesome in this part, as well as the others. What's amazing is how the story is felt as absolutely real. Alternative scene in Belgrade is rich with middle-aged local celebrities that were respected idols once upon a time. In the end the movie perfectly explains the loyalty to the lifestyle to the very end. It's not a common thing in the 21st century..