The Master and Margaret

Aleksandar Petrovic's 'Maestro e Margherita, II (1972) is a visual masterpiece and probably the most important 'dissident' movie from former Yugoslavia. Unlike other dissident films such as 'Kako Sam Sistematski Unisten od Idiota' or 'Varljivo Leto '68' it is brave, straightforward, intelligent and funny. On the other hand, its criticism of greed and hypocrisy resembles the work of yet another Yugoslav director, Dusan Makavejev's 'Sweet Movie'.Although the film retains opulent 'mysticism' and spirituality of Bulgakov's novel 'Master and Margarita' it nevertheless additionally depicts local atmosphere and political circumstances of than uncomfortable Yugoslav reality. The film was banned for about 20 years. However, it successfully survives and continues to present recent past in an unique and brave way.