Do Not Mention the Cause of Death (1968) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1968 · 79 mins · Serbo-Croatian

Directed by

Jovan Živanović

Starring

Bekim Fehmiu, Oleg Vidov, Velimir Živojinović, Nikola Simić, Olivera Katarina, Petar Lupa

Set during World War II, a humble village dyer tries to ease his community’s sorrow by providing black paint for mourning, but the supply runs out as death outpaces his efforts. After his wife is raped, the trusting dyer places faith in his godfather—a shrewd black‑market dealer—and begins distributing free canvases. In the midst of grief, the villagers struggle to discern whether the aid stems from genuine compassion or hidden malice.