When Day Breaks

When Day Breaks is a touching 2012 Serbian drama film directed by the acclaimed Goran Paskaljevic. This emotional power-packed movie stars highly respected Balkan actors like Mustafa Nadarevic, Predrag Ejdus, and Meto Jovanovski.

Set in contemporary Belgrade, Serbia, the film illustrates the harsh confrontation with the past through a tender narrative that talks about the undying spirit of humanity. A profound engagement with the root of identity and the challenging investigation into the hidden aspects of history forms the underlying theme of the story.

Mustafa Nadarevic, one of the most renowned actors in the history of Yugoslav cinema, stunningly portrays the main character of Misha Brankov, a retired music teacher. Misha has a quiet, content life submerged in music and a love for his sons and grandchildren when he is subjected to an unsettling surprise. He is given a box of unknown contents, salvaged by chance during the excavation of a former Nazi concentration camp in Belgrade.

The box, as mysterious as it seems, sets Misha on a journey of profoundly emotional self-exploration as it contains the disturbing but true information about his real identity. Suddenly thrusted into an unraveling tale of family lineage and hidden histories, Misha must grapple with uncomfortable truths about his origins, which challenges his perceived identity. All this while, he thought he was a child of a poor but honest communist, but now he must come to terms with the realities of his birth and the painful odyssey of his real parents.

Weaving a sophisticated tapestry of history and human emotion, the film explores how Misha deals with complex emotions, a painful legacy, and above all, a new sense of self-understanding. Predrag 'Peca' Ejdus personifies an astute lawyer while Meto Jovanovski portrays a warm colleague of Misha, both brilliantly underscoring their respective roles as catalysts aiding Misha’s attributions towards a deeper truth.

Paskaljevic's directorship provides the intricate portrayal a raw, realistic touch and proceeds at a contemplative pace. Paskaljevic's directorial skills gracefully tread across the fine line between Misha's personal discoveries and the historical excavation, involving the viewers into a world of ambiguity, denial, and eventual acceptance.

One of the critical themes of the film is the resonating impact of concealed historical atrocities that continue to echo in the lives of those interconnected through a web of tragic destiny. The film also presents a grim reflection on the unmitigated horrors of war and the long-lasting traumatic effects that shape generations to come.

The film takes an unprecedented look at the Jewish Holocaust theme from a unique Serbian perspective. It delves into the little-explored angle of how the Holocaust affected the former Yugoslavia. This historical engagement offers viewers an unexposed dialogue complemented by the personal narration of Misha's life and his encounters with the revelations.

The film's cinematography is thoughtful and captivating. It captures not only the raw beauty of Serbia but also the undercurrent of pain resonating in its natives, especially those impacted by war. The seamless alignment of Belgrade's past and present architectural testament further amplifies the film's atmosphere and narrative depth.

The music in the film, given Misha's career as a music teacher, plays an instrumental role. It's meticulously incorporated into the storyline, adding another layer to Misha’s character and a slipstream of emotions as he embarks on his voyage of self-revelation.

When Day Breaks is decidedly poignant in its essence, compelling the audiences to empathize with Misha's predicament and inviting them to explore a lesser-known chapter of history. This film is a journey of a man rooted in his past but resilient in his spirit, echoing a poignant statement about humanity's power to recoil from the throes of times.