When Father Was Away on Business
Seen it?1985 | 136 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Tommy, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 16 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 2 Cannes awards: Palme d'Or, FIPRESCI Prize of the Festival de Cannes. Also nominated for 1 Oscar. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$25K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 25K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Emir Kusturica
- Moreno de BartoliMalik
- Predrag 'Miki' ManojlovićMehmed 'Meša' Zolj, otac
- Mirjana KaranovićSenija 'Sena' Zolj, majka
- Mustafa NadarevićZijah 'Zijo' Zulfikarpašić
- Mira FurlanAnkica Vidmar
- Predrag LakovićKućepazitelj Franjo
- Pavle VuisićMuzafer Zulfikarpašić, dedo
- Slobodan AligrudićOstoja Cekić
- Eva RasIlonka Petrović
- Aco GjorčevDr. Jevgeni Ljahov