User reviews

MIRAGE (Iluzija), is a Macedonian film from first time director Svetozar Ristovski, about a boy who is bullied at school, neglected and emotionally abused at home, and without a friend in the world. His teacher gives him hope by encouraging his writing, but eventually he is pushed to the brink. I knew I was going to enjoy this movie immediately as it opened with one of my favorite quote from Nietzsche: "Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torments of man." The movie is about how children can endure physical violence, but not false hope.

The director uses some clever metaphors in the film. Although trains constantly pass through the sleepy Macedonian village, they never stop there. Marko, the child star of the film, seeks refuge in a train graveyard, living in an abandoned train car that will never go anywhere.

There is nothing new about the story, as it's been told time and again in many different languages. What makes it worth watching is an honest look at Macedonian life, it's struggle with poverty and American occupation. But what really made the film for me was a phenomenal performance by 12 year old Marko Kovacevic as Marko. He blew me away. I had the chance to meet the young talent after the film, and he's as cool as he is shy. I would certainly recommend seeing this film for his performance alone. (8/10)

Mirage is about a young boy named Marko who has some writing talents that lives in Macedonia during the wars. He is constantly being beaten by his sister or the local bullies at school. His mother is totally subservient to everyone in the household, and his father is a drunk on strike against the business where he was employed. They are poor by American standards. His peaceful place is hijacked by an ex-military guy of some kind that briefly enters Marko's life and teaches him how to shoot a gun. He also teaches Marko that there is no hope. Marko takes this lesson to heart and acts accordingly. This is a very well made film, but extremely depressing in that a feeling and talented child is totally mishandled by the adults around him.