Watch Who's That Singing Over There

Who's That Singing Over There from 1980 is a Yugoslav comedy-drama film directed by Slobodan Å ijan. The movie follows a group of passengers aboard a rickety, old bus as they travel from Belgrade to Titograd, now known as Podgorica. The bus trip takes place during the German invasion of Yugoslavia in World War II, adding to the overall tension and chaos of the journey.

The film opens with a scene of a choir singing patriotic songs in Belgrade. Among them is a schoolteacher named Leka who is busy trying to locate a stolen pen. Leka is the protagonist of the movie and is played brilliantly by Pavle Vuisic. He is a fastidious, middle-aged man who is always looking for ways to cut costs and save money.

Leka is our guide as we navigate different personalities of the passengers on the bus: a young couple on their honeymoon, a wealthy businessman accompanied by his mistress, a World War I veteran and his young sidekick, an elderly woman and her sick husband, and a mysterious Gypsy musician. Each passenger has their quirks, but the film does an excellent job of showcasing their humanity and drawing us into their stories.

As the journey progresses, the bus breaks down, and they have to rely on an old train to reach their destination. The train is slow and overcrowded, with people packed like sardines, adding to the overall comedic and chaotic nature of the film. There's a moment when the passengers discover that the Germans have bombed the tracks ahead of them, leaving them stranded. They then discover that the train's conductor is a Partisan informant and that they are all in grave danger.

The dynamics between the passengers on the bus and train are fascinating. For example, the young couple on their honeymoon is sweet and romantic, but the husband is plagued by performance anxiety. The wealthy businessman and his mistress are greedy and ruthless, willing to exploit even the most vulnerable people for their gain. The World War I veteran and his young sidekick are duplicitous, and we're never quite sure what their motives are.

What makes the movie so enjoyable and entertaining is that we're never quite sure what's going to happen next. The journey is full of seemingly random events that are both comedic and dramatic, but Å ijan masterfully ties everything together in a satisfying conclusion.

The film's emotional core is Leka's transformation from a neurotic cheapskate to a compassionate and generous human being. His struggle to let go of his past and embrace the present is not only relatable, but it's also a reminder that we all have the capacity for change.

Å ijan's direction is impeccable, balancing the comedic and dramatic elements of the movie perfectly. The cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the beauty and harshness of the Yugoslavian landscape during wartime.

In conclusion, Who's That Singing Over There from 1980 is a must-see film that will leave you laughing, crying, and thinking. The movie is a testament to the power of storytelling and the transformative power of human connection.