Goodbye, 20th Century!

Goodbye, 20th Century! is a unique motion picture that is particularly challenging to categorize. Released in 1998, this Macedonian hallmark of postmodern cinema is a dark comedy that transcends the bounds of conventional film and time itself. Directed by Aleksandar Popovski and Darko Mitrevski, the film stars acclaimed actors Lazar Ristovski, Nikola Ristanovski, and Vlado Jovanovski. The directors successfully incorporate science fiction, dystopian, and absurdist elements to produce an unforgettable cinematic message.

The heart of the storyline draws on a blend of biblical narratives and the exploration of man's battle with mortality. The film's narrative structure is unconventional in that it operates in a non-linear timescale, knitted together by two dominant narrative threads. The weaving between timelines immerses viewers into a story covering the distant past, the rowdy present, and the somber, dystopian future.

Lazar Ristovski, popular for his roles in Underground and Black Cat, White Cat, commands the screen with exceptional flair and charisma. He plays the role of Kuzman, a man cursed by the supernatural forces with immortality in the dystopian landscape of the future. Here, the movie makes a lurch into science fiction territory. Nikola Ristanovski portrays two characters, the Santa Claus in the narrative belonging to the past and a gun-toting rebel in the future narrative. The versatile actor successfully brings unique personality traits to both his characters, efficiently conducting the symphony of the absurdist storyline.

Vlado Jovanovski's performance as Kuzman's grandson, delivering a honest and stirring portrayal of a rebel with a cause. His performance infuses the plot with conflict and raw humanity, driving the storyline's momentum.

Goodbye, 20th Century! is infused with symbolic resonances, religious context, and philosophical subtext. The film pronounces a reflection on the millennium's end and humanity's journey into an uncertain future. The characters' plight strikes a chord as they continuously grapple with the question of existence and the very nature of life and death.

The cinematography by Apostol Trpeski deserves a special mention as it manages to capture future scenes' stark barrenness and contrast it eloquently with its past scenes filled with old-world charm and the exuberance of the present narrative.

The dialogue is laced with thought-provoking profundity, dark humor but also maintains a crisp veneer of straightforwardness that accentuates the characters' dire situations in their respective timelines. The bold and innovative storytelling, coupled with stirring performances and a murky narrative, make Goodbye, 20th Century! an intriguing watch.

The film's thread of rapidly changing events mirrors the nature of life, the unpredictability of the future, and reflects on mankind's doomed fate. Reminiscent of the work by the likes of Isaac Asimov and other legendary science fiction writers, the movie's post-apocalyptic environment serves as a cold backdrop for grim rumination about mortality and the grim future that awaits mankind.

The film's directors have incorporated elements of familiar folklore and biblical stories, intertwining the traditional with innovative cinematography to produce a fantastic feast of visual and narrative storytelling. Few films can rival the daring experiment that is Goodbye, 20th Century!. It is a testament to the creative braveness of its directors and a shining example of Macedonian modern cinema.

As viewers, one is immediately struck by the directors' imaginative prowess, the unfolding drama, the delicate blending of multiple genres, and the intense performances. As the film concludes, one is left grappling with the dystopian depiction of the future, the inherent hopelessness, and above all, the profound questions about morality andf mortality—all of which the film effectively portrays throughout its runtime.

Intricate, complex, and layered, Goodbye, 20th Century! is a cinematic exploration of grim tales of the past, the angularities of the present, and the bleak prophecies of the future. It catapults viewers into engaging in profound thoughts regarding life, existence, and the human spirit's resilience. It is an extraordinary film that rewards viewers with its rich and multi-layered narrative—and one which will no doubt leave a lasting impression.