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How the War Started on My Island

Original title: Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku
  • 19961996
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • War
Although being one of the first movies to take humoristic approach towards violent break-up of Yugoslavia, this motion picture is partly based on real events that took place in September of ... Read allAlthough being one of the first movies to take humoristic approach towards violent break-up of Yugoslavia, this motion picture is partly based on real events that took place in September of 1991. Few months after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia, Federal military installations are... Read allAlthough being one of the first movies to take humoristic approach towards violent break-up of Yugoslavia, this motion picture is partly based on real events that took place in September of 1991. Few months after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia, Federal military installations are still present with previously recruited Croatian boys trapped inside. One such installati... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Vinko Bresan
  • Writers
    • Ivo Bresan
    • Vinko Bresan
  • Stars
    • Vlatko Dulic
    • Ljubomir Kerekes
    • Ivan Brkic
Top credits
  • Director
    • Vinko Bresan
  • Writers
    • Ivo Bresan
    • Vinko Bresan
  • Stars
    • Vlatko Dulic
    • Ljubomir Kerekes
    • Ivan Brkic
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins

    Photos7

    Vlatko Dulic in Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
    Matija Prskalo in Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
    Ivan Brkic and Predrag 'Predjo' Vusovic in Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
    Ljubomir Kerekes in Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
    Ljubomir Kerekes in Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)
    Kako je poceo rat na mom otoku (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vlatko Dulic
    • Blaz Gajskias Blaz Gajski
    Ljubomir Kerekes
    • Aleksa Milosavljevicas Aleksa Milosavljevic
    Ivan Brkic
    • Roko Papakas Roko Papak
    Predrag 'Predjo' Vusovic
    • Murko Munitaas Murko Munita
    Bozidar Oreskovic
    • Boris Basicas Boris Basic
    Ivica Vidovic
    • Danteas Dante
    Matija Prskalo
    • Lucija Milosavljevicas Lucija Milosavljevic
    Goran Navojec
    Goran Navojec
    • Martinas Martin
    Senka Bulic
    • Spomenkaas Spomenka
    Etta Bortolazzi
    • Babaas Baba
    Slobodan Milovanovic
    • Ridikulas Ridikul
    Leon Lucev
    Leon Lucev
    • Zoran Gajskias Zoran Gajski
    Rene Bitorajac
    Rene Bitorajac
    • Vojnik Albanacas Vojnik Albanac
    Mladen Vulic
    • Scepanovicas Scepanovic
    Goran Malus
    • Zoranas Zoran
    Ante Mioc
    • Bilderas Bilder
    Goran Omasic
    • Vodnik vezistas Vodnik vezist
    Mario Oreskovic
    • Spikeras Spiker
    • Director
      • Vinko Bresan
    • Writers
      • Ivo Bresan
      • Vinko Bresan
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Although being one of the first movies to take humoristic approach towards violent break-up of Yugoslavia, this motion picture is partly based on real events that took place in September of 1991. Few months after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia, Federal military installations are still present with previously recruited Croatian boys trapped inside. One such installation is a garrison on a small Dalmatian island, commanded by Major Aleksa Milosavljevic. Besieged by local militia, Major Aleksa threatens to blow up ammunition depots with half an island in case of any hostile action. During the stalemate, art historian Blaz Gajski comes from Zagreb in order to rescue his son from the barracks. —Dragan Antulov <dragan.antulov@altbbs.fido.hr>
    • satire
    • dalmatian island
    • serbian agression
    • yugoslavism
    • croatian war of independence
    • 57 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • War
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on real life events.
    • Connections
      References Nase malo misto (1969)

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Charming Black Comedy
    A charming black comedy that illustrates the complexities of Yugoslavia's division on the simplistic small town level. National troops have ordered a bunker to be set up, calling on the many of the local sons (who are serving as soldiers) under the command of a local businessman. The neighborhood branch of the resistance, led by the local plumber, tries desperately to disarm the camp peacefully so the boys can all get home for dinner.

    An old man stumbles onto the scene in search of his son, because he simply has to go home (we never find out why). He naively wanders up to loaded guns and armed soldiers explaining "his wife will get really mad."

    He teams up with the resistance, and a brilliant scheme results to disarm the self-destructive bunker.

    The script is tight and full of political satire, and never borders on talky or grandiose. The array of colorful characters in the town are extreme, crazy, but utterly believable, human, and vital to the story.

    The intense caper is pulled off with such masterful suspense-filled direction that is reminiscent of Chinatown or the Dirty Dozen.
    helpful•33
    1
    • petshop
    • Feb 21, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 9, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Croatia
    • Languages
      • Serbian
      • Slovenian
      • Croatian
    • Also known as
      • How the War Started on My Little Island
    • Filming locations
      • Primosten, Croatia
    • Production companies
      • Adria Film
      • Hrvatska Radiotelevizija (HRT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • HRK 2,130,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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