Black Cat, White Cat (1998)

A small time hustler gets more than he bargained for when he tries to repay his debts by marrying his son to a sister of a troublesome gangster.

Director:

Emir Kusturica

Writer:

Gordan Mihic

Stars:

Bajram Severdzan, Srdjan 'Zika' Todorovic, Branka Katic

5 wins & 4 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

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

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

Edited into Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (2012)

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Soundtracks

Nowhere Fast
Written by Jim Steinman
Performed by Fire Inc.
Published by Lost Boys Music
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from Universal Special Markets

User Reviews

Funny and fascinating.

Few films just simply fascinate me. As an American Boomer, I am admittedly spoiled and quite jaded, when it comes to movies. This film tantalized me and enthralled me. I felt like a kid at a carnival. The rich cinematography was palpable. The beauty of the chaotic and very non-Pasteurized world of these kooky gypsies and country folk was unexpectedly stunning. And it was so funny! Just plain old funny! The acting was superb. I recognized some favorite character actors from other films I have seen from Yugoslavia. (Look for the Nail Lady). The only glitch for me was an occasional sense that the subtitles could not convey the full impact of the obviously earthy and colloquial dialogue. The film seems to proudly carry on the zany comedy tradition of Europe in the sixties, such as the Pink Panther series and the Czech "Firemen's Ball". I regret I did not see this in a theater with the howling audience it deserves.