Criterion's Eclipse Series Releases Dušan Makavejev's Three 1960s Yugoslav Films
In 2010, the Eclipse series from The Criterion Collection released a DVD compilation showcasing three films directed by Yugoslav filmmaker Dušan Makavejev: 'Man Is Not a Bird' (1965), 'Love Affair, or The Case of the Missing Switchboard Operator' (1967), and 'Innocence Unprotected' (1968). These works utilize experimental formats to explore the societal issues of their time. 'Man Is Not a Bird' centers on Jan Rudinski (Janez Vrhovec), a foreman in Bor, and his romantic involvement with Rajka (Milena Dravić). In 'Love Affair,' rat-catcher Ahmed (Slobodan Aligrudić) is entangled with Izabela (Eva Ras), culminating in her murder. 'Innocence Unprotected' disrupts a 1942 melodrama by Dragoljub Aleksić. A contextual leaflet accompanies the DVD, which Milena Michalski reviewed for ARTMargins Online on May 29, 2010.
Key facts
- The Criterion Collection's Eclipse series released a DVD set of three Dušan Makavejev films in 2010.
- The films are 'Man Is Not a Bird' (1965), 'Love Affair, or The Case of the Missing Switchboard Operator' (1967), and 'Innocence Unprotected' (1968).
- 'Man Is Not a Bird' was filmed in Bor, a Yugoslav mining town near the Bulgarian border.
- Makavejev's work subverts socialist realist propaganda by depicting harsh labor conditions.
- 'Innocence Unprotected' incorporates a 1942 Serbian melodrama by Dragoljub Aleksić.
- The films show influences from Soviet cinema and the American underground.
- Milena Michalski reviewed the DVD on ARTMargins Online on May 29, 2010.
- The DVD includes a contextual leaflet for those new to Makavejev's work.
Entities
Artists
- Dušan Makavejev
- Dušan Perković
- Aleksander Krstić
- Bosko Savić
- Janez Vrhovec
- Milena Dravić
- Boris Dvornik
- Stole Arandjelović
- Slobodan Aligrudić
- Eva Ras
- Miodrag Andrić
- Dragoljub Aleksić
- Ana Milosavljević
- Vera Jovanović-Segvić
- Bratoljub Gligorijević
- Grigorii Aleksandrov
- Liubov Orlova
- Bruce Conner
- Dziga Vertov
- Milena Michalski
- James Gow
- Joris Ivens
- Ray Privett
Institutions
- The Criterion Collection
- Eclipse series
- ARTMargins Online
- King's College London
- Routledge
- Sense of Cinema
Locations
- Bor
- Yugoslavia
- Bulgaria
- Belgrade
- Serbia
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- Soviet Union
- London
- United Kingdom