sveti georgije ubiva aŽdahu

We're writing in the year 1914. In a Serbian villiage on the bank of the river Sava, the natural border with the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire, the population is divided into two groups: on the one hand there stand the healthy men, potential army recruits, and on the other hand we have the invalid war veterans of the previous two Balkan Wars.

There prevails an atmosphere of the most bitter animosity between the two groups. When the First World War breaks out the healthy men from the village are mobilised. The invalids left behind see an opportunity to enjoy themselves with the wives and sisters of the soldiers, who learn of the ongoings as they await the offensive of the enemy in their trenches. In order to rectify the situation and avert a revolt the high commando orders the invalids to the front as well.

These unusual events are based on a true story and provide the backdrop to a tragic love triangle between a young war invalid, the local chief of police and a young belle from the big city.

This film with its budget of around five million Euros, production techniques of the highest standards and a subject matter with the declared objective of demythologising Serbian military actions of the twentieth century has often been referred to as a project of "national significance". In Serbia, in terms of viewing figures, the film lies far ahead of any Hollywood blockbuster.