"Bitange i princeze" (2005) TV series 2005-????

Directors:

Vinko Bresan
Ivan-Goran Vitez

Writers:

Antonio Gabelic (writer)
Davor Horbec (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | unknown

Release Date:

15 April 2005 (Croatia)

Genre:

Comedy

Cast

Hrvoje Keckes	...	Kazimir Hrastek -Kazo / ... (82 episodes, 2005-2009)
Mila Elegovic	...	Irena Grobnik / ... (82 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rene Bitorajac	...	Robert Kumerle - Robi / ... (81 episodes, 2005-2009)
Drazen Cucek	...	Armando Vukusic - Konobar / ... (77 episodes, 2005-2009)
Predrag 'Predjo' Vusovic	...	Gazda / ... (77 episodes, 2005-2009)
Tarik Filipovic	...	Teodor Friscic - Teo / ... (74 episodes, 2005-2009)
Mile Kekin	...	Erotoman Sasa - Sale D. / ... (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Natasa Dangubic	...	Lucija Toc (68 episodes, 2005-2009)

Runtime:

30 min (83 episodes)

Country:

Croatia

Language:

Croatian | Serbian

Color:

Color

Company:

Interfilm

Trivia:

'Bitange i princeze' is also a popular theater production. It is staged at Kerempuh Theater, Zagreb, and directed by Goran Kulenovic. The roles are played by the same actors as in the TV show, however, the role of Lucija Toc is sometimes played by Natasa Dangubic, and sometimes by Linda Begonja.

Croatia finally laughs at urban sitcom

As well as Europe (politically West - East, economically North - South), Yugoslavia was divided in two very different regions. West - Slovenia and Croatia - were catholic countries, throughout the history turned to Middle Europe, to Vienna, Prague or Venice where most influence was arriving from. East - all others - were Orthodox or Moslem, with relations to Moscow, Istanbul and maybe Athens. And one of the main differences: because of their way of life and traditions West was considered urban, East rural.

And now an absurd situation occurred: Serbia was producing urban type of humor in TV serials, including the first sitcom and the best comedy serial made in Yugoslavia ever, 'Pozoriste u kuci' ('Theatre At Home'). In the same time (70's) Croatia made two great comedy serials settled far away from towns: 'Nase malo misto' on small Adriatic island and 'Gruntovcani' in a poor Panonian village.

Finally, almost a decade and half after leaving Yugoslavia and after at least a dozen failed attempts, Croatia managed to produce a real urban sitcom. Though a basic idea was borrowed from 'Friends' similarities diminish as the number of episodes increase. This is typical Zagreb with typical Zagrebian situation and people mixed from those who, born here, follow its traditions, and those who came recently carrying legacies of their provinces. But, unlike average Croatian production, it would be still understandable to wider audience, if it ever reached it.

Too many "bad language" may be too offensive, but it is a sad reality: people talk that way, and not only in Croatia. This language seems to be normal, usual in all other genres, so isn't it a kind of hypocrisy if we blame using it in sitcoms? I'd rather blame those who use it in buses, markets, beaches... You can't turn the sound off nor change the channel there.

Very good actors - but there was never a lack of them in Croatia. The pleasant change is a good script, dialogues that no American sitcom would be ashamed of, well balanced timing and rhythm, stories that successfully range from realistic to absurd. This is also the first serial in Croatia that enters second season (and possible some more in years to come), so it is hard to predict how would it develop and whether it will keep the same quality. But if you like sitcoms and an opportunity ever appears, give a chance to this one and you might find that good sitcoms are not limited only to USA. At least the first (and beginning of second) year.