An Exercise In Nonsense

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This film is SO much more than story line(s) and seeming non sequiturs which gradually flow together. It is like a 15 course multi-sensory feast of foods from strange lands, some of which taste surprisingly familiar. You have to be willing to open to the experiences Manchevski offers here, and that openness provides entry to an extraordinary examinaion of life & death - all wrapped in breathtaking cinematography and liquified timelines. If you're looking for a snack, skip this one. But if you're really hungry for something provocative that relentlessly insists on savoring, not sampling - check it out. You'll think about it and talk about it, and remember it.

To those who gave this film a negative review, you obviously missed the point! This film was meant to have an "everyman" feel to it. This is why the characters seem to be clichéd! They are meant to be. This movie is subtle, and requires an intellect to truly appreciate what it is trying to say. The viewer is given a rich, tapestried view of the 20th century, from its birth to its waning years. The movie also takes us not only across the century, but around the world, through the growth of global transportation. I found it fascinating and compelling, and had no trouble following the narrative. It is a film that you must give yourself to, and trust the writer and director to answer all your questions as the film progresses, and he does. Manchevski is a true artist. I would also watch this film just for Adrian Lester's amazing performance. It is a treat to see him on screen, it doesn't happen often enough. Don't listen to the naysayers, SEE THIS FILM!

I was not quite sure what to expect. Not great acting but the plot flows naturally. It really is a story about storytelling and a very nicely done mixture of the past and present. It might be said however that the director tried to do a little too much. The way the story is told from the memory and how the memories seem to die as the woman gets closer to dying is superbly done. It kept me thinking if a story exists if it is not told and whether a fictional story is not history after all. A main problem was the presentation of Ottoman characters in the movie. All they seemed to do was throw out evil laughters. A great deal of orientalism going on for sure. I especially laughed at the sunglasses the Ottoman officer was wearing on horseback at some point, I thought I was watching "Romancing the Stone."Overall a film worth watching. It is a nice breeze and an audacious effort.7/10

Milco Mancevski's second film, Dust, is the pioneer work. I'm sure many future filmmakers will use some of the stuff he made in this film. No one can give a grade to this. Only time will tell how much Milcho is way ahead his time.