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Cast
Moreno de Bartoli
as Malik
Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović
as Mehmed 'Meša' Zolj, otac
Mirjana Karanović
as Senija 'Sena' Zolj, majka
Mustafa Nadarević
as Zijah 'Zijo' Zulfikarpašić
Mira Furlan
as Ankica Vidmar
Predrag Laković
as Kućepazitelj Franjo
Pavle Vuisić
as Muzafer Zulfikarpašić, dedo
Slobodan Aligrudić
as Ostoja Cekić
Eva Ras
as Ilonka Petrović
Aco Gjorčev
as Dr. Jevgeni Ljahov
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1985
Runtime2h 16m
LanguageSerbo-Croatian
CertificationNR
GenresDrama
Votes154
DirectorEmir Kusturica
WritersAbdulah Sidran
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.3 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsWhen Father Was Away on Business
About When Father Was Away on Business
In a post-WWII Yugoslavia still under Stalinist rule in the 1950s, six-year-old Malik is oblivious as to why his father, Mehmed, has suddenly disappeared. In truth, Mehmed has been sent to a labor camp as punishment for acts of sexual indiscretion involving young girls. Malik's mother, Senija, however, has no answers, and the family must cope in the father's absence.
Directed by Emir Kusturica, When Father Was Away on Business leans on a strong ensemble — Moreno de Bartoli, Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović, Mirjana Karanović — 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 drama titles of 1985.
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