Customer Reviews

Tito and Me [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a generally amusing film, and the chubby little boy who plays the main character, Zoran, is very endearing. The movie centers around Zoran's misadventures as he tries to win the heart of the girl he has a crush on, which involves, among other things, writing a glowing paean to Yugoslavia's then president Tito as part of a school contest. His problems only get bigger after he wins the contest. The back-drop to all of this is Zoran's somewhat troubled family life, as he, his mother and father are cramped into an apartment together with relatives - which was a common aspect of Yugoslav urban life in the early 1950s when the country was being industrialized and people moved to the cities. The government often forcefully appropriated parts of larger houses or apartments and sometimes moved complete strangers in. However, one aspect of this movie is a bit dishonest: most of the adults in the film, except for Zoran's over-zealous schoolteacher, tend to be seasoned anti-Titoists. It seems a bit unrealistic to me to show people disparaging Tito during the early 1950s in the way he was criticized during the 1980s (after his death). The fact was that in the first few decades after World War II, Tito was very popular among all Yugoslavs, Serbs included. Thus, I'd say watch this film because it is funny and rather cute, but not to get an accurate picture of Belgrade's political climate in the 1950s.

This is a political comedy by the director Goran Markovic, and is set in Belgrade, circa 1954. The film's lead character is an overweight ten year-old boy named Zoran who has a bizarre, fairytale-like obsession with the communist ruler of Yugoslavia, Tito. Zoran finds his chance to show both his love of this leader and to impress his crush in an essay contest (the topic: "Do You Love Comrade Tito and Why?") that not only allows Zoran to go on a march to meet Tito, but also to do so alongside Jasna, his crush. It is on this march that Zoran begins to lose faith in the ideals, as his pseudo- Boy Scout leader finds him to be annoying andrather stupid. In the end, Zoran is forced to face the disappointing truth that heroes are often not much more than self-constructed icons.

Markovic offers a clever commentary on the utter absurdity of the communist system through the eyes of a child, whose reflection and understanding of reality reveal the ridiculousness of the political system (it is hinted that one man has been a victim of the political purges, while aloud, it is said he is arrested) and the elevation of Tito. At times, the script was a little dry, but overall, an interesting film about this time in Yugoslavia's history, and worth the watch.

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I saw this movie for the first time when I was a young boy living in Subotica, on the North of Yugoslavia, and then I had no idea who Josip Broz Tito was. Like the movie states, at that time, Tito, the President of Yugoslavia, was more important than God. Zoran, the lovable character in the movie, starts worshiping Tito, not really understanding why. Zoran writes in a school assignment that he loves Tito more than his parents just so he can go on an excursion with Jasna, a girl he likes. In the end he realizes what are the most important things in his life. Excellent performances by Miki Manojlovic and Lazar Ristovski. Watch the movie if you want to see how popular, but at the same time unpopular Tito was at that time.

Boris (from Vancouver, BC)

"Tito And Me" is a delightful, funny and educational film about young Zoran, the main character in the movie, who is growing up in 1950s Yugoslavia. Recovering from WWII and under a strain from breaking up with Stalin, the times were hard in Yugoslavia, but its leader, Josip Broz Tito was exceptionally popular and much loved. Starting in the 1950s, and each year afterwards, Yugoslavian Socialist Pioneers and Youths competed for the top spot in a competition of knowledge about Yugoslavian Revolution, Tito, and WWII. Young Zoran entered the competition for one reason only - to be close to a girl he thinks he loves.

"Tito And Me" portrays 1950s Yugoslavia almost to perfection (apart from apparent hostility of some characters towards Tito - this was strange as Tito was very much loved at that time). Sprinkled with documentary footage of Tito, the movie gives a feel of true experience, that only first hand observers could have achieved.

I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to know more about what Yugoslavia was about after WWII and for the duration of Tito's rule (which ended in 1980). Some of the humor loses out in the translation, but most of the film is easily understood, even with subtitles.

"Tito i Ja" is the tale of Zoran, a young Serbian boy of the 50s who idolizes Yugoslavia's president and longs for the love of his schoolmate Jasna. A poem in honor of Tito earns our hero Zoran a place, with his beloved, in a Young Pioneer (Communist Scouts) hiking trip through Tito's Croatian homeland. The adventures which follow demonstrate Communism's evil attmept to place one citizen against another and the ability of the human spriit to overcome it.

"Tito i Ja" is a rare film, a comic gem with an enduring message about a system which ruled one third of the world and from which the world has not yet recovered. I would recommend it without reservation.

Full of kind-hearted humor, abounding in hilarious episodes, this film is touching and very enjoyable! Its familiar satirical portrayal of the ridiculousness of obsessions associated with the Communist regime in Eastern Europe is very low-key, highlighting the human and humanist sides of life. Dimitrije Vojnov (Zoran) is perfect for the role and gives an outstanding performance. Best to watch the film subtitled rather than dubbed to hear Zoran's narration which is wonderfully sweet and very, very funny. "Tito i ja" is a gem not to be missed!

Tito and MeThis story extends a fresh look on an otherwise obscure topic. Full of intelligent irony!

"Tito and Me" is a good comedy, but for many people living in Eastern Europe, this movie is also a trip to the past.
Everyone who have been pioneer himself, can imagine that he is Zoran, who are going to the trip :)
I would recommend the movie without reservation. Best to watch uncut version.
The best scene of the movie in my oppinion was where parents are reading Zoran's school assignment from the newspaper :P
But after watching the movie I really didn't understand, why was Comrade Raja arrested? Can somebody explain that?
P.S. I'm from former USSR

I thought this was a very good movie,one of the best from Yugoslavia.It is a comedy,adventure and about Tito the Yugoslav president in the 1950's.The story talks about Zoran,a 10 year old boy who likes Tito and about his family.In the film there is always something new happening and that's what makes it interesting like for example when Zoran's class goes to Tito's birthplace there is always new scenes and with each scene you see something happening instead of just seeing them go to the birthplace it also tells us what is happening on the way there. It is a very enjoyable film.*****

This was a very good film, I think it offers a good look at life during the time Tito was the president of Yugoslavia. There are some very humorous parts of this movie.