Is What Do Those Lunatics Want? Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2007)
Zelimir Zilnik has always been discussing the communist's regime taboos , with his early documentaries , but especially with his film about the student's riots in 1968: Lipanjska gibanja (June Turmoil). His featured film Rani radovi (Early Works) got to trial, because it made important politicians, including Tito himself, very angry. However, it was free of all charges, thanks to the really honorable judge. The Golden Bear, the prime award of the Berlin Film Festival, was given to Zelimir and it was interpreted as the biggest provocation for socialist Yugoslavia. Therefore, the film was put away for years and was not available for the audience.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Documentary cinema, then What Do Those Lunatics Want? offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2007 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Debuting in 2007, What Do Those Lunatics Want? represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Documentary category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Zelimir Zilnik has always been discussing the communist's regime taboos , with his early documentaries , but especially with his film about the student's riots in 1968: Lipanjska gibanja (June Turmoil). As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Documentary are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Zelimir Zilnik has always been discussing the communist's regime taboos , with his early documentaries , but especially with his film about the student's riots in 1968: Lipanjska gibanja (June Turmoil). His featured film Rani radovi (Early Works) got to trial, because it made important politicians, including Tito himself, very angry. However, it was free of all charges, thanks to the really honorable judge. The Golden Bear, the prime award of the Berlin Film Festival, was given to Zelimir and it was interpreted as the biggest provocation for socialist Yugoslavia. Therefore, the film was put away for years and was not available for the audience."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Želimir Žilnik provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.
The direction by Dinko Tucaković is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 52 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is What Do Those Lunatics Want? truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Documentary, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, What Do Those Lunatics Want? explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2007 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Dinko Tucaković respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, What Do Those Lunatics Want? is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Želimir Žilnik or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, What Do Those Lunatics Want? is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 0.9 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.