A Serbian thriller series, titled Arte, is a covert transition of power
The European cultural channel Arte has secured a programming coup with the thrilling series, "The Assassination - Secret Operation Belgrade". This eight-part production, filmed with a focus on cinematography by Aleksander Kosutic, delves into the clandestine operations and politically charged events that led to a significant assassination in Belgrade, Serbia.
Set against the backdrop of a corrupt state apparatus with deep connections between politics, organized crime, and the paramilitary special unit JSO, the series unravels a web of secret plans and operations that reflect on real-life events in Serbia's turbulent political history.
The plot centres around the tense atmosphere in Belgrade, where agents and conspirators work behind the scenes, implicating violence and political intrigue in Serbia’s capital. The narrative intertwines fictionalized versions of documented historical operations and crime investigations from Serbia’s past and present, highlighting the shadowy nature of political violence and secret operations in Belgrade.
At the heart of the series is the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Dindic, who was gunned down on the steps of his office in Belgrade on March 12, 2003. Dindic, who sought to combat organized crime, drive forward democratic reforms, and bring his country closer to the EU, was a pivotal figure in Serbia's political landscape. His assassination occurred just one year after the start of the trial against former President Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes.
Three main strands run through the series, with the characters of journalist Danica Mandic, detectives Boris Rakic and Ljuba Vasiljevic, and small-time criminal Uros Ristic serving as the protagonists. The series is led by a five-member author team, with Goran Stankovic and Vladimir Tagic serving as showrunners and directors of four episodes each.
"The Assassination - Secret Operation Belgrade" is a condensed and translated portrayal of events, with clear distinctions between good and evil. Though it is not a documentary of the events at the time, it aims to provide a deep insight into the chaotic phase of Serbia that rarely comes into the focus of the (west) European public.
The series is complex but not confusing, exciting but not over-the-top. The performances of actors Milica Gojkovic, Dragan Micanovic, Ljubomir Bandovic, Feda Stukan, and Lazar Tasic bring the series to life, though their names may be unfamiliar to the German audience.
In recognition of its compelling narrative and powerful performances, "The Assassination - Secret Operation Belgrade" was awarded a special prize for best acting performance at the Canneseries festival. This thrilling series promises to captivate audiences and shed light on a pivotal moment in Serbian history.
- For those who enjoy movies-and-tv that delve into the complexities of politics, organized crime, and drama, Arte's new series, "The Assassination - Secret Operation Belgrade," should not be missed.
- This gripping eight-part series, which won a special prize for best acting performance at the Canneseries festival, provides an insightful entertainment experience on the clandestine operations and politically charged events in Belgrade, Serbia.
