Young and Healthy As a Rose (1971)
"Mlad i zdrav kao ruza" (original title)

A director with a very distinctive style, Jovan Jovanovic has filmed in 1971 one of the most significant works in the history of contemporary Serbian film. "Young and Healthy Like a Rose" ... See full summary »

Director:

Jovan Jovanovic

Writer:

Jovan Jovanovic

Stars:

Dragan Nikolic, Aleksandar Gavric, María Baxa

Cast

Cast overview:
Dragan Nikolic	...	Stevan
Aleksandar Gavric	...	Islednik
María Baxa
Danilo 'Bata' Stojkovic

Storyline

A director with a very distinctive style, Jovan Jovanovic has filmed in 1971 one of the most significant works in the history of contemporary Serbian film. "Young and Healthy Like a Rose" is a strong visionary achievement that still looks topical today as back in the times when it was filmed and banned by the then communist censorship. A story about a young delinquent, who evolves from typical outsider to mafia boss of Belgrade seemed shocking back then; today, it is the cruel reality of our times. With incredible foresight of things to come, Jovanovic's leading character says: "I am your future". More poetical than Hollywood movies, much more realistic than "Trainspotting". An exciting story about crime, drugs and the deadly grip of the secret police in Serbia. The best role of Dragan Nikolic, one of the rare ones he presented himself as a tough guy and the authentic sex symbol from this region. A slap in the face of film and other convention. A must see!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Yugoslavia

Language:

Serbo-Croatian

Release Date:

14 July 1971 (Yugoslavia)

Also Known As:

Young and Healthy As a Rose

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dunav Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Zabranjeni bez zabrane (2007)

User Reviews

A solid movie, but nothing authentic about it

After watching A bout de soufflé (Godart), one will notice that Young and Healthy like a Rose is another rip-off of the French Nouvelle Vague by Yugoslav directors.

At the time this made perfect sense, with all the censorship and control over culture.

But to call this move an authentic piece of work ahead of its time would be a mistake.

The movie rips-off the original after 11 years.

Having said this, in local context the movie has been very important in paving the way for a Yugoslav / Serbian new wave in film.