Sky Above the Town

Marija, Boko, Irena and other neighbours have a picnic in front of their apartment building. Suddenly a jet-fighter flies overhead. Later Peter, who flew this plane and is the son of Irena and Boko, formerly an officer in the Yugoslav Peoples Army, also arrives. Four years later the war for Slovenia breaks out and Yugoslavia is falling apart. Marjan and Bokos families, which used to be on friendly terms, are now inimical. Marjan wants to shoot the soldiers of the Yugoslav Army with an air gun, and Boko does not know what to do. Things get worse, Peter calls from the airport and an air-raid alarm forces them to seek refuge in a bomb shelter. But Marjan does not want Irena and Boko there, as they are supposed to be enemies of Serbia. Someone burns the Yugoslav flag and everyone has to run outside, while jet fighters are already flying over the apartment buildings.

Directed by Žiga Virc, Sky Above the Town leans on a strong ensemble — Nebojša Pop-Tasić, Barbara Lapajne-Predin, Vlado Novak — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 2008.