Black Cat, White Cat (1998)

Matko and his son Zare live on the banks of the Danube river and get by through hustling and basically doing anything to make a living. In order to pay off a business debt Matko agrees to marry off Zare to the sister of a local gangster.

Director:

Emir Kusturica

Writer:

Gordan Mihic

Stars:

Bajram Severdzan, Srdjan 'Zika' Todorovic, Branka Katic

5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bajram Severdzan	...	Matko Destanov
Srdjan 'Zika' Todorovic	...	Dadan Karambolo (as Srdan Todorovic)
Branka Katic	...	Ida
Florijan Ajdini	...	Zare Destanov
Ljubica Adzovic	...	Sujka
Zabit Memedov	...	Zarije Destanov
Sabri Sulejmani	...	Grga Pitic
Jasar Destani	...	Grga Veliki
Stojan Sotirov	...	Customs Officer
Predrag Lakovic	...	Priest (as Predrag-Pepi Lakovic)
Predrag 'Miki' Manojlovic	...	Priest (as Predrag-Miki Manojlovic)
Salija Ibraimova	...	Ladybird
Zdena Hurtocakova	...	Black Obelisk
Adnan Bekir	...	Grga Mali
Irfan Jagli	...	Bodyguard

Storyline

Matko is a small time hustler, living by the river Danube with his 17 year old son Zare. After a failed business deal he owes money to the much more successful gangster Dadan. Dadan has a sister, Afrodita, that he desperately wants to see get married so they strike a deal: Zare is to marry her. But none of the two care much for an arranged marriage: Zare is in love with Ida, Afrodita is waiting for the man of her dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | four word title | deal | marriage | sister | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, drug use and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where mob boss Dadan (played by Srdjan 'Zika' Todorovic) talks about his father spinning in his grave, the picture on the wall is of his real life father Bora Todorovic, who played a mob boss in Emir Kusturica's Time of the Gypsies (1988).

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Goofs

When Zare escapes from Dadan on the ladder, Dadan catches him by the right ear. In the next shot he is holding Zare's left ear.

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Quotes

Matko Destanov: The Bulgarians always say: "Brother, if you can't solve a problem with money... solve it with a lot of money."

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, the name of the movie isn't spelled out; a picture of a black cat and a white cat is shown instead.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

Money, Money, Money
(Benny Andersson / Björn Ulvaeus)
Performed by Bajram Severdzan
With the kind approval of Union Songs AB - Sweden Music AB.

User Reviews

Go Kusturica!!!

"Underground" may still be the most monumental and brilliant work from Kusturica, yet this movie is just so damn feel-good and enjoyable that the man earns my highest praises yet again. Being a sort of comedic parallel to "Time of the Gypsies," old ways clash with the new in this hilarious comedy about Gypsies living on the bank of Danube river. Gangsters, dirty deals, weddings, eccentric characters, great music (played by the orchestra from "Underground"), delicious Eastern European atmosphere - "Black cat, white cat" has it all. I love it. Kusturica is a master of his craft. I tink, dis is de begining of a beautiful frendship...

Details

Country:

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia France Germany Austria Greece

Language:

Romany Serbian Bulgarian

Release Date:

1 June 1998 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

Also Known As:

Black Cat, White Cat

Filming Locations:

Danube River, Serbia

Box Office

Gross USA:

$351,447

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$351,447

Company Credits

Production Co:

CiBy 2000, Pandora Filmproduktion, Komuna

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1