When Father Was Away on Business (Otac na sluzbenom putu)

SARAJEVO JUNE 1950

WHEN FATHER WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS

AN HISTORICAL LOVE FILM

Chiquita

Spanish land, flowers of May

Every child loves you

While listening to castanets

I have a sombrero

You're a darling girl

Chiquita

You're the woman of my dreams

You're my new love

But you give yours to another

I have a sombrero

You're my darling girl

Carmelita

Lead me to Barcelona

So I can see my love

Chiquita

I thought I was the first to come

I am a stranger

But, Chiquita

I'll be yours

I have a sombrero

You're a darling girl

Franjo!

Franjo!

What are you lads up to?

Are you working or messing around?

When you work, you don't mess around.

- Understood? - Understood.

Come on, comrades!

My name is Malik Malkoc,

but everybody calls me "Maliky Sticky-icky. "

I was born November 2, 1944,

but Mama wrote I was born

on October 29,

because the war was on

and we were poor

so she could get an extra month's allowance.

My best friend is Joza.

His full name is Serjoza Petrovic.

He doesn't mind being called Joza,

but if someone calls him "fatso, "

he gets mad.

WE BUY HERBS AND MUSHROOMS

Franjo the janitor sings Mexican songs.

When my dad asked him, "Why Mexican? "

he said, "Comrade Mesa, nowadays, it's the safest.

Such are the times. "

Mama always tells him,

"Franjo, don't drink.

You'll ruin your health. "

He smiles and says,

"When I'm drunk,

"my reflexes are quicker.

"Who knows what would happened

if I were sober? "

He drinks up all the money he makes from the herbs

because he loves 90-proof, plum brandy.

But we're saving up our money

to buy a genuine, leather football.

They're going too far now.

You're a swine, Mesa.

You know that?

Why?

You don't know? You really don't know?

I told you I had no idea I'd be promoted.

What's the Party got to do with the divorce?

Shut up.

You tell me to shut up?

You've been telling me that for two years.

What am I, a whore?

Shut up, you stupid bitch!

- Got a light? - I've got nicer things.

A nice girl, but a bit hot-tempered.

I've got just the cure for her.

You can't even get these in Paris.

La Baiser, the queen of lipsticks.

How much?

Cheaper than a muzzle.

How much?

In view of the situation,

only four dinars.

Give me two.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone!

You don't love me anymore.

- You don't! - Just be patient!

When will you get a divorce?

When? Never!

Say something, for God's sake!

You don't love me.

Who loves anybody in this madhouse?

I'll go to a rest home and bathe when it suits me.

You only take one bath a year.

There, they'd make you take two a week.

While others fuck about, I have to bathe.

Mama has ordered a big clean-up.

My brother Mirza and I are to be circumcised.

I asked Mirza what "circumcised" means.

He says we're done for.

They grab your prick and cut half of it off.

Joza's dad, Vlado Petrovic,

was taken away by the men in leather coats.

He shouted so that everybody could hear.

"I'd rather have Russian shit than American cake! "

Later they took away their radio and telephone.

I asked Joza why they did it.

He said it was something to do with Stalin.

We took all of Stalin's pictures out of the house.

We recognized him by his moustache.

Since then, Joza's mom first waits for the postman every day,

then tells Joza she's going to the market

and goes off to the council to ask about his dad.

- How's my little Communist? - He's great, comrade.

Here you are...

Comrades.

You've got no right.

Give it...

Give it here.

Radio Sarajevo...

We inform all citizens

that vegetables will be available...

Where have you been?

For the lady of the house.

Mirza!

Look in my pocket.

50 mm.

Chalk in the right hand, slate in the left.

And for the mangy, old freeloader...

I hoped you'd be gone when I returned.

So did I, dear son-in-law.

When will you leave and never return?

You'll have a bloody, long wait.

I know.

Scram.

You heard me!

Go on, you pest. Get down!

You shouldn't have.

The latest craze in Zagreb.

The slate indoors, the rattle outdoors, okay?

Okay, dad.

What are you waiting for?

The movie.

You can't watch it in daylight.

Harder, harder.

Our people must be prepared for anything.

The danger of being thrown off-balance

is a constant threat.

Every individual must use maximum concentration

and always make sure he has control

over every part of his body.

in order to perform his jump correctly.

Any hasty move

can lead him into a perilous situation.

An incorrect position in flight

can cost an individual his life

or leave him maimed for life.

Don't swing your arms when you walk.

You can tell if someone's clever by the way he walks.

How, Dad?

The feet should be parallel.

Whoever twists them this way is a fool.

I don't understand, Dad.

You will when you grow up.

Communists have an inborn aesthetic sense.

It's a fact.

If you don't know that, you're a...

Fool, dolt, nitwit, dumbbell.

Comrades!

Our physical, cultural movement,

despite the present anti-Yugoslavian campaign,

is growing stronger day by day.

However,

the attacks of Coninform have had its effects

on the development of physical culture.

in our country.

Since their resolution, our physical culture

has been subject to blatant discrimination

by socialite countries.

- Hello. - Hi, big brother.

Are you taking care of my sister?

No complaints.

- How are you? - Fine.

Let us welcome the first woman

in this part of the Balkan Peninsula...

who is going to fly a Hawk Glider'.

Ankica Vidmar.

Stop by for a drink tonight.

I'm busy.

She came here to help develop our physical culture.

A date, eh?

Yes.

And you're not afraid?

No, it doesn't take much courage.

I come from a family of fliers.

I just love flying.

No doubt about it.

She's modest and brave.