78 Days (2024)

Before the film 78 Days starts, take a closer look at the marvelous minds of local filmmakers Diana Al-Halabi and Floor van der Meulen. Read more here.

It is 1999 and NATO is bombing Serbia. Before the father of three teenage sisters is conscripted he asks them to film on Hi8 tapes everything that he is going to miss. Their filming captures tender moments like helping their mother cook and picking cherries,  contrasted with scenes of bombings and fear. The arrival of a mysterious boy and his shy sister from Belgrade brings new friendships, first kisses, and heartbreaks, adding a bittersweet touch to their wartime reality.

Watching 78 Days feels like watching those cherished pixelated old tapes that your parents love to watch during Christmas gatherings. The film, a blend of documentary-style and found footage aesthetics, balances between comedy and drama. You will find yourself laughing at silly sibling dynamics one moment and feeling the weight of the war the next. Recording their lives, the three sisters find their refuge from the surrounding violent chaos​. 

If you were to remove the credits at the end of 78 Days, many viewers might mistake it for a genuine documentary put together from the director’s own home videos. However, this is Emilija Gašić’s scripted feature film debut, featuring professional actors. This stylistic choice strengthens its impact on the enduring collective memory and trauma that persist over time, emphasizing the crucial need for testimonies or records to speak for victims long after they are gone.

If ticket sales do not appear, it helps to refresh the page, change to another browser or stop your ad blocker.