Metastases

Metastases

Year: 2009

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: Croatian

Director: Branko Schmidt

DramaCrime

Using stark cancer imagery, the drama examines the social ills afflicting contemporary Croatia. It follows four young addicts in Zagreb as they come of age in the post‑war environment, mirroring the petty hatreds, violence, prejudices and pervasive mood that linger over the nation like an incurable disease.

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Timeline – Metastases (2009)

Trace every key event in Metastases (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Filip returns and is urged to get a job

Filip returns to Zagreb after three years in rehabilitation in Spain. His parents press him to find a job to prevent a relapse. The same day, he reunites with Krpa, Kizo, and Dejo at a Zagreb neighbourhood bar, launching the group's four-way dynamic.

early 1999 Zagreb
2

Bar reunion of the four friends

At the bar, the four friends reassemble and reconnect over their shared Dinamo Zagreb fandom. The meeting exposes their unorthodox bonds and looming conflicts. The bar becomes their base for plans and everyday struggles.

early 1999 Zagreb
3

Krpa's abusive behavior established

Krpa, an antisocial veteran, abuses his wife and attacks anyone who challenges him. He uses intimidation to control those around him. This pattern foreshadows the violence that threads through their lives.

early 1999 Zagreb
4

Dejo's debts and ethnic tensions

Dejo is a drug addict who owes money, and his half-Serb background triggers insults from Krpa. He navigates the pressure of friends and his addiction. The tension among the group intensifies as their fragile balance teeters.

early 1999 Zagreb
5

Krpa coerces Dejo to kiss the Altar of the Homeland

During a confrontation, Krpa uses nationalist ritual to coerce Dejo into kissing the Altar of the Homeland. The moment exposes the toxic mix of nationalism, intimidation, and group dynamics. Dejo resists, but the episode marks another flashpoint of hostility.

early 1999 Zagreb
6

Kizo's bar arrival and kitten imagery

Kizo goes to the bar to join the others for a match, only to find they have left. He returns home, buys alcohol and cat food at a supermarket, and ends up in his backyard caring for a litter of kittens, revealing a gentler side under his hard exterior.

early 1999 Zagreb
7

Filip and Dejo travel to Sarajevo to buy heroin

Filip and Dejo travel to Sarajevo to buy heroin, highlighting their addiction and willingness to take risks. The journey tests their friendship and moral limits. The trip foreshadows the trouble awaiting them on the return.

1999 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
8

Visit to Filip's aunt and uncle and potato offer

On the way back, they visit Filip's aunt and uncle in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The relatives offer two bags of potatoes for the trip, but there isn't enough space in Dejo's car for both bags. The plan to transport the potatoes later reveals the improvisational nature of their schemes.

1999 Bosnia and Herzegovina
9

Filip hides drugs in a potato bag

Filip hides the heroin inside one of the potato bags, concealing the stash within the supplies. The concealment shows how far they will go to sustain their habit. It foreshadows the trouble awaiting them at the border.

1999 Between Bosnia and Zagreb
10

Reuf unknowingly transports the drug-laden bags

Back in Zagreb, Filip's neighbor Reuf agrees to transport the bags on his own in a few days. He is unaware of the drugs hidden inside, making him an innocent intermediary in the smuggling plan. The arrangement heightens risk for all involved.

1999 On the road to Zagreb
11

Border police discover the drugs

At the border crossing, authorities discover the drugs in the bags during transport. The discovery disrupts the plan and shines a harsh light on the group's illegal activity. The incident raises the stakes for all four friends.

1999 Border crossing (Bosnia-Croatia)
12

Krpa robs a betting shop

In the final act, Krpa robs a betting shop and flees, triggering a tense foot chase with two police officers. The act crystallizes his volatile character and the collapse of the group's stability. The sequence anchors the film's bleak, consequence-driven ending.

late 1999 Zagreb
13

Dinamo Zagreb identity binds the four friends

The four friends share a deep Dinamo Zagreb fandom that anchors their sense of belonging in a rough 1999 Zagreb. Their loyalty to the club mirrors their loyalties and conflicts within the group. The football culture provides a backdrop for both camaraderie and danger.

1999 Zagreb

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:35

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Metastases

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