Showing posts with label serbia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label serbia. Show all posts

Friday, 8 June 2012

Jagoda in the Supermarket

Now that Eurovision is over till at least September I really do have to blog about something else. So... let's watch some foreign films from Eurovision nations.

You know, ever since A Serbian Film, it's hard to google for 'serbian films' without getting that. And while I'm keen to see more foreign films, there is a line. Even though I've seen plays like Blasted and watched The Human Centipede, I feel like the plot of that film is enough to go on with for the rest of my life. (and the Phelous review of it pretty much explained it too)

So... what Serbian film did I find to watch?

Jagoda in the Supermarket



I found this film with english subtitles on youtube, and I don't think the subtitles were the greatest, so perhaps this film is funnier if you can find a better copy, or maybe it does just all seem a little flat. The plotline is basically that Jagoda, a checkout assistant in an American Supermarket called Yugo-American, refuses to serve an old lady whose son comes and takes everyone in the store hostage as revenge. Gradually they fall in love with each other and everyone rants about consumerist culture. Outside there is a satire of politics and military action going on, that probably makes more sense if you're from Yugoslavia. Teh Interwebz says this film is set in post-war Yugoslavia, which has the somewhat unhelpful element of confusing me as to what country we're actually in. I'm gonna assume it's Serbia, but I really don't know enough to tell the difference. The film ends with the two as some kind of national heroes for holding out against the various military squads trying to get them out, who mostly collapse in a slapstick fashion.
The best part of the film is probably the brass band who are at various interludes playing The Clash's Lost in the Supermarket. How very appropriate. 

So, there, a slightly odd film from Serbia that isn't A Serbian Film. 

2012: The best top ten for languages

In 2012, despite Sweden's English language-win the year''s top ten was one of the best in recent years for foreign language entries, with 5/12 of the songs being in their own language, counting Russia's entry as a Russian language entry ("Party for Everybody, Dance" is not the most stunning use of English.)

Serbia have continued to be the most successful country in their own language, while Albania scored their best result. Estonia also seem to be scoring better with their own language than English.

Ott Lepland. Nothing to look at here...



Does this mean anything though? Not really? After all, 2007's Serbian win is still an oddity in the current trend. But we can dream and hope ESCToday don't steal this observation for an article topic on their site in a couple of months. 

Monday, 21 May 2012

Eurovision: 1912

The other day I had a conversation about how many countries are in the Eurovision, and how it'd be a lot less if it were 1912:


Following last years victory by Mr. Eldar and Mrs Nigar, this years contest will be held in the capital of the Russian Empire, St Petersburg. They will be represented by the young singer Mr Donald Montell. 

Making it's debut in Eurovision this year is the Kingdom of Serbia, represented by Zeljko Joksimovic, singing a ballad about peace in Europe in these troubled times.

Great Britain and Ireland will be represented by brothers John and Edward Grimes, from Dublin, who have been warned not to use the event as a platform to voice Ireland's campaign for independence. Many are unsure if they have the popularity to ensure victory.


The Ottoman Empire has withdrawn from the competition this year, owing to trouble in the region, Bulgaria and Romania have opted not to compete.


Greece has just about managed to compete after economic troubles and political tensions in the region.


Sweden will be represented by Swedish-Finnish singer Miss Pernilla Karlsson with her ballad Nar Jag Blundar, while Denmark will be represented by Icelanders Greta and Jonsi, who have been warned not to use the event as a platform to voice Iceland's campaign for independence. 


San Marino's Miss Monetta is singing a song about typewriters. 




Yep, I really need to get out more.

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Serbia: Zeljko Joksimovic

Things anticipated always disappoint. Le sigh. 

The Eurovision Prince of Ethno-Ballads disappoints. I find Zeljko's entry too ballady, and not ethno enough. I mean, that's really what he's for -- the ethno thing. I find the song a bit uneven, it takes a long time to get going, and.... it's a bit too film score. I mean, I swear that's where the tune comes from. 

Just don't sing it in English, or i'll be even more disappointed. 
le sigh.

:( 

I really wanted to like this one too.