Iluzija

Marko Trifunovski, a 13-year-old boy, lives in a dilapidated house near a railway track in Veles. His family life is marred by neglect, with a father consumed by bingo addiction and a mother oppressed by poverty, contributing to Marko's struggles and emotional turmoil.

At school, Marko faces relentless bullying by Levi, the son of the local police chief, which exacerbates his isolation. Despite his bright mind and poetic talents, school becomes another battleground rather than a sanctuary.

To escape his relentless troubles, Marko often retreats to a nearby train graveyard where he plays chess. The graveyard becomes a sanctuary for him, symbolizing his desire for a life outside the chaos surrounding him.

Marko's life takes a turn when his Bosnian teacher recognizes his poetic talent and encourages him to enter a poetry competition. The teacher's support ignites Marko's hope of escaping his bleak surroundings and achieving his artistic dreams.

Despite his aspirations, Marko's family remains oblivious to his talent, and he faces mockery from his peers. The lack of support from his environment deepens his feelings of despair and isolation.

Marko's situation worsens as his sister Fanny's promiscuous behavior and involvement with a Kosovo Force soldier bring further shame and turmoil to their family. This new source of suffering intensifies the bullying Marko faces at school.

Marko encounters Paris, a scarred soldier who begins to mentor him in the train graveyard. Their bond grows as they share chess games, and Paris provides Marko with survival wisdom, though it leads him down a risky path.

Under Paris's influence, Marko begins to engage in criminal activities including drinking, smoking, and participating in burglaries. Their heist at a local Orthodox church marks a pivotal moment that leads Marko further into a world of crime.

Marko's criminal activities catch up with him when he is caught selling stolen perfumes. Faced with blackmail from Blashko, he is coerced into tutoring Levi, further entrenching him in Levi's gang and their illicit schemes.

The tension reaches a boiling point when Levi's gang breaks into the school, leading to destruction and chaos. Marko is trapped in a burning room, scarred by the desperation of his circumstances.

After the vandalism incident, Marko is summoned by the school principal and chooses to protect Levi, resulting in his expulsion. His teacher's betrayal leaves him feeling abandoned during a crucial moment in his life.

In a drastic turn of events, Marko confronts Levi's gang and forces his way to take back the gun. This act of rebellion symbolizes the culmination of his frustrations and desires to reclaim some control over his life.

During the Independence Day celebration, fueled by uncontainable rage and despair, Marko fatally shoots his teacher. This tragic act signifies the complete breakdown of hope and the irreversible consequences of his journey.

As Marko stumbles away from the scene of horror, he is left to grapple with the weight of his actions. The life he hoped for slips further away, echoing Nietzsche's aphorism about the dangers of hope as he faces the reality of his situation.