integraline

Koreni (The Roots) is an adaptation of Dobrica Cosic's novel of the same title. It is a drama/thriller piece set in the late 19th century Kingdom of Serbia containing elements of political intrigue, patriarchy, family issues, serfdom and conflicts between local and central governments. It is a series that explores human emotion and behaviour during this period focusing on the main protagonist Ashim Katic (fantastic execution by Zarko Lausevic): head of the family and village chieftain who has an overbearing presence and conservative values, and his two sons Djordje (stunning performance by Igor Djordjevic) who resorts to drinking because he can't live up to his fathers expectations and with his beautiful wife Simka (played by the wonderful Sloboda Micalovic) has marital problems, the second son Vukashin is Achim's younger son and perhaps dearest who has just returned to his home village for the first time in 3 years after completing his studies in Paris, who falls in love with the daughter of his fathers political opponent. I disagree with some of the negative reviews that claim it's boring and complain about filming angles, I mean sure it's not Hollywood blockbuster production standards but the psychological drama, excellent acting and great script is what makes this so good to watch. If you only care about cinematography there are much better films out there like Orson Welles: Touch of Evil or Stan Kubrick's: Space Odyssey which are great films. Koreni is also a great tv series as It transports the viewer to a time in the Kingdom of Serbia when traditional family values were important, when a man gave his word he stood by it, when a man always paid his dues otherwise his family name would forever be tarnished and disgraced, a time when it was shameful if a woman could not bear any children and a time when the only respect that you cared about gaining was your fathers, the head fo the family.

I'ts a shame that this large production that we have all eagerly been waiting for failed dismally. Characters are bland. The fighting scenes are bland. There is absolutely no emotion in any of the characters or dialogue between them. There is no substance. Casting is absolutely atrocious. Whose idea was it to give the main role of the founder of the Serbian kingdom Stefan Nemanja to an ugly Montenegrin actor who previously acted in an anti-Serbian production? It would have been better if they gave the role to someone like Zarko Lausevic. Also, one of Stefan Nemanja's little children had an annoying over-forced Belgrade snobby accent which annoyed every time the little brat opened his mouth- historically this was inconsistent as Belgrade didn't exist at that time. I wish i could give this 0 stars.