Balkan Spy

A former Stalinist who spent years in Goli otok, Ilija is quick to detect treachery where there is little. His mounting paranoia leads him to spy on Petar and his circle, turning suspicion into a regime-like practice inside his own home. The character struggles between protective instinct for his family and violent overreach, culminating in a physical and emotional crisis.

Danica is practical and anxious about her daughter Sonja's future in a society with scarce opportunities. She serves as a stabilizing voice amid her husband's spiraling fear, showing concern for family security while navigating the growing tension around Petar's presence.

Petar is a cosmopolitan businessman who spent twenty years in Paris and returns to Belgrade to open a tailor shop. He is portrayed as a progressive, international figure rather than a spy, but Ilija's relentless suspicion frames him as a threat. His interactions highlight the fear of Western influence within a socialist state.

Sonja is a recent dental graduate struggling to find work, representing the younger generation’s ambitions in a constrained economy. She often questions her father's paranoia, offering a counterpoint to the mounting familial tension and the pressures of the era.

Đura is Ilija's brother, initially sharing his brother's suspicions and later participating in coercive actions. His involvement shows how fear can spread within families, escalating intimidation and violence against Petar's associates.

Inspector Dražić is pragmatic and skeptical of Ilija's claims, representing official channels that require evidence before labeling someone a spy. He embodies the tension between state procedure and private fear that runs through the narrative.