Learning a language isn’t just about memorising endless lists of words and grammar rules—it’s about immersing yourself in the history, humour, and all the cultural experiences of its speakers. And what better way to do that than by watching movies? In many ways, movies are the most faithful testament of a nation’s existence, its journey throughout history and life in all its forms.
Wondering what to expect of the Serbian cinema? Well, brace yourself for a lot of satire, rich dark humour, raw human experiences, historical narratives and a deep insight into the Serbian mindset and everyday language.
In this blog, we unveil some of the most precious diamonds of the Serbian movie scene, as well as the ways they can help you master Serbian.
Top 7 Serbian movies
If you are serious about learning Serbian, watching movies with subtitles is a great way to familiarise yourself with authentic speech patterns, slang, and cultural references. As you will see, many of the daily catch-phrases are taken from the scenes of some of the most iconic films.
1. Maratonci Trče Počasni Krug (1982)
An outstanding piece and a cult classic, this black comedy follows a dysfunctional family of undertakers – six generations of hilariously portrayed male members of the family try to keep their heads above water in a chaotic post-war Serbia. This film will have you laughing out loud, and with mixed feelings about it.
However, that is exactly the essence of Serbian humour, over-the-top sarcasm with the special spice of unforgettable one-liners.
2. Balkanski Špijun (1984)
For political satire enthusiasts we have prepared the perfect cinematic gem called “The Balkan Spy”. This movie has always been very important in Serbia and you might even hear that teenagers in secondary school are watching and discussing it as a part of their Serbian language and literature class. It is a hilarious yet thought-provoking film about an ex-political prisoner who becomes obsessed with the ridiculous idea that his tenant is a spy.
What makes the film so captivating is his absurd paranoia, which makes him adorably confused, dangerous to himself and others, and unpredictable in all sorts of ways.
3. Lepa Sela Lepo Gore (1996)
In case you’d like to see and hear more about recent history, this powerful war drama should be the first on your watchlist. “Pretty Village, Pretty Flame” explores the complexities of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s in a manner that is emotionally intense, but not without the traditional thread of dark humour.
4. Parada (2011)
This fantastic piece of comedy is a bold one – considering that it deals with LGBTQ+ rights in the conservative and patriarchal Balkans. If you want to see Serbia from a somewhat different angle, the cast and the crew are just what you need. Comedy here is intertwined with serious social issues and thus offers a unique insight into different layers of the Serbian society.
5. Mrtav ‘ladan ( 2002)
“Mrtav ‘ladan” (“Frozen stiff”) is a quintessential example of Serbian dark humor at its finest. This 2002 black comedy follows two brothers who, in an attempt to save money, smuggle their deceased grandfather onto a train to transport him home for burial. A lot of thrilling incidents come their way, full of misunderstandings, twists, and classic Balkan humour. The film pokes fun at bureaucracy, corruption, and the unpredictability of life in Serbia, and by means of action-packed slapstick comedy. The fast-paced dialogue and regional accents make it a great choice for language learners who want to test their listening skills while getting a taste of Serbian humour at its most outrageous.
6. Zona Zamfirova (2002)
This movie documents life and culture in the south of Serbia like no other. It is a 19th-century Romeo-and-Juliet type of timeless romance that tells the story of a forbidden love between a wealthy merchant’s daughter and a humble goldsmith. Still, as with Shakespeare, you’ll also need special language skills to understand this one.
Although the wonderful regional dialects make it quite a challenge for learners to understand, they simultaneously create an incredibly vivid, jovial and culturally rich atmosphere that is a lingua franca in itself.
7. Montevideo, Bog te video! (2010) & Montevideo, Vidimo se! (2014)
These heartwarming films tell the story of the Yugoslav national football team’s journey to the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. The first part and its sequel are equally filled with humour, sports, and historical nostalgia, so they make a perfect choice for football and history lovers. In addition to a beautiful and uplifting storyline, Montevideo films are a great way to hear Serbian as it was spoken almost a century ago.
Vampires, garlic, and spooky Serbian villages
If you’re a fan of horror, you’ll be thrilled to know that Serbia has deep-rooted connections to one of the most iconic creatures of the genre—the vampire. In fact, the word vampire (vampir) is actually one of the very rare examples of international words of Serbian origin.
The first documented use of the word in European literature comes from 18th-century Austrian reports about mysterious deaths in Serbian villages. Stories of vampires spread across Europe, and one of the most famous is that of Sava Savanović. Allegedly, Sava was villager who turned into a vampire after his death, and would drink the blood of anyone who’d come to use his watermill in a remote village in western Serbia. His story has been retold for generations, inspiring horror films and literature in Serbia and beyond. Sava’s eerie tale is portrayed in the first Serbian horror movie, “Leptirica” (“The She-Butterfly”), from 1973.
Serbian TV Shows
If movies are too little of a commitment, and you are looking for some Serbian TV shows that offer even more stories and life situations which you can learn from, here are some top picks:
- “Bolji Život”, “Porodično Blago”, “Srećni Ljudi” – Three different shows, but equally classic. These family sitcoms showcase everyday Serbian life, humour, and relationships, and you will find that many generations grew up with these precious series.
- “Ljubav, Navika, Panika” – If you’re looking for short, bite-sized episodes that will cheer you up, this witty sitcom is a perfect choice!
- “Vratiće Se Rode” – A mix of drama and humor, this show follows the lives of small-town Serbs dealing with modern problems.
- “Jutro Će Promeniti Sve” – A contemporary drama that presents standard modern Serbian, making it ideal for learners.
- “Crni Gruja” – A satirical medieval comedy that plays on Serbian history and folklore.
- “Otvorena Vrata” – A beloved comedy series about a quirky family and their daily struggles.
Additional language learning tips
It goes without saying that the more you expose yourself to native Serbian, the faster you’ll pick up on nuances, expressions, and pronunciation. While watching your newly found Serbian cinematic favourites, it would be great to jot down useful phrases or quotes that grab your attention. Films can be a great way to learn your way around in daily situations, as they help you memorise the vocabulary by providing a lot of context.
So, dive in, make sure to turn on those subtitles, and soon enough, you’ll be picking up Serbian phrases like a pro.
