Meto Jovanovski Movies

A man near the end of his life relives a crucial period from his youth in this powerful drama. Lem Nikodinoski (Meto Jovanovski) is a prominent Macedonian politician who has suffered a severe heart attack. As Lem drifts between life and death, his mind wanders to his childhood, and he observes his younger self (played by Saso Kekenovski) during his days in a camp for children whose parents were unwilling to embrace Russia's Stalinist regime following World War II. Ariton (Mitko Apostolovski), the camp's headmaster, is a strong taskmaster, but he displays a genuine compassion for his charges; Olivera (Verica Nedeska), his second in command, takes a more stern approach, and is willing to dole out physical punishment to any child who does not absorb her Stalinist teachings. One day, a new boy enters the camp, Isak (Maja Stankovska), who displays a calm but resilient nature that's different from the fearful attitudes of the other children. After initial resistance, Lem becomes close friends with Isak, and their friendship helps Lem confront the horrors of camp life in a new way. Writer and director Ivo Trajkov cast teenage actress Maja Stankovska to play Isak after a long series of unsuccessful auditions failed to find a young man who had the right look for the role. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Milcho Manchevski's first feature film is a three-part story of the violence and political chaos tearing apart the newly independent nation of Macedonia (former Yugoslavia). In part one, Kiril (Grégoire Colin), an Orthodox monk, encounters Zamira (Labina Mitevska), a Muslim from Albania. Zamira is frightened and has nowhere to go, so Kiril lets her stay in his cell, knowing that if the authorities find her, his peaceful life will be shattered. The second segment, set in London, concerns Anne (Katrin Cartlidge), married to stable but boring Nick (Jay Villiers) but enjoying an affair with Macedonian photographer Aleksander (Rade Serbedzija); Anne is trying to decide if she should stay with Nick or leave with Aleksander, before unexpected events make the decision for her. The conclusion follows Aleksander back to Macedonia; while he's tired of photographing war, he finds no sanctuary in his home town, as Christians and Muslims wage war and he accidentally causes the death of innocent bystanders. Before the Rain received an 1995 Academy Award nomination as Best Foreign Language Film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A Serbian family leaves the troubled Kosovo region after Moslems rape the daughter in front of her mother. When they leave their home after the assault, their family tombs are desecrated, and the move to northern Serbia is marked by rejection by the local townspeople of their new community. Meto Jovanovski plays Bozidar, a bus driver who left Kosovo 15 years before and who helps the family adjust to their new home. The family troubles follow them, as Eastern and Western culture clash with Moslem and Christian factions soon engaged in a bloody civil war. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Believable, sometimes humorous but often downbeat, this drama about two Yugoslav brothers just after World War II cuts a wide swath across that former nation's cultural divisions. Dragoslav (Svetozar Dvetkovic) is on a train bringing soldiers home from the USSR in 1945 when a young man he had been trying to help kills himself. After the police haul Dragoslav in for questioning, they suspect he is actually a Russian spy. Although they release him for the time being, his freedom does not last long; he is soon arrested and put in jail. In the meantime, the woman he loves (Vladica Milosavljevic) has moved in with Kosta (Meto Jovanovski), his brother. The devil-may-care Kosta lives on black market deals and favors American-style clothes and music. His attitude is diametrically opposed to that of Dragoslav, who stubbornly maintains his faith in the Communist Party, even behind bars. By the time 1949 rolls around, the fate of the brothers and the woman they both love looks anything but bright. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

During a chaotic and dangerous period in the Balkans, Dorotej (Gojko Santic), a young and handsome monk, is dedicated to helping the ill and ailing with his knowledge of herbal medicine. As he travels around the countryside, he is called to aid a sick abbot, and in the process of curing the curate, he makes an enemy in the next potential abbot of the monastery. Stories of Dorotej's cures have reached the ears of a Serbian feudal chief wounded in battle, who requests him to come and heal his injuries. As the monk spends time in the company of the Serb, he makes the acquaintance of Lady Yelena the noblewoman of the castle and sparks are ignited. Fate may not be pleased, however, when Dorotej leaves his calling after being expelled from the monastery by the "enemy" abbot, now in power there. He returns to seek out Yelena and the two spend some time together, causing one of the lords in the castle to raise his hackles in jealousy and anger -- aimed at the unsuspecting couple. Filmed in actual churches and monasteries from the middle ages, the interior scenes are enhanced by ancient murals and architecture that provide an aesthetically pleasing and realistic backdrop for the action. Most Yugoslavians would have been familiar with this Serbian epic, and this film version is based on a book by Dobrilo Nenadic, who also wrote the screenplay. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi