THE ELUSIVE SUMMER OF '68 * 1984 * Varljivo leto '68 * Directed by Goran Paskaljević * 91 minutes * In Serbian with English subtitles
a young man's crush in a Serbian village, as the events of 1968 are erupting worldwide

No matter what you say, there is something special about so many films that came out of former Yugoslavia. The films could be experimental like those of Dusan Makavejev, or they could be more of a poetic reverie like this film we are screening. But regardless of style, there was often a very unique sense of humor and an enthusiasm for life. This one centers on a young man named Petar living in a Serbian village, whose changing life corresponds with the events of 1968 that are erupting worldwide. Those changes are both sexual and political, so it's ironic that as he is falling romantically in love with his teacher, he fails her Marxism class.

Elusive Summer is a real rarity. If you aren't from that disappeared country I think it's safe to say you never had a chance to see this movie in a cinema ever before, and you will probably never have another again. It's a pity, because it has so many qualities that are rare these days. But there is another thing that makes this film weirdly special - it was made within the communist part of the world at the time. And no matter what you think of that, it's exhilarating to see a snapshot of a time when politics and real life were fused together... when people were excited about things that matter! It is also about a changing Yugoslavia, and the word 'elusive' in the title is actually the Serbian word varljivo which primarily refers to frequently changing weather. This movie has a razor-sharp script full of wit, sadness and joy, sensuality and bittersweet humor.