Underground

The story begins on April 6, 1941, in Belgrade, Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Two friends, Petar Popara (Crni) and Marko Dren, return home after a night of revelry, riding a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by a cheerful brass band.

The boisterous friends visit the Kalemegdan fortress, where they meet Marko's brother, Ivan, who is caring for zoo animals. Despite Ivan's warm greeting, the atmosphere shifts when Blacky’s pregnant wife, Vera, confronts him about his irresponsible behavior.

As World War II engulfs Yugoslavia, the friends experience the impact of war firsthand. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, the sound of Nazi aircraft fills the air, leading to a bomb drop in Belgrade, which shocks the city and disrupts their daily lives.

While Belgrade deteriorates in chaos, Blacky decides to maintain a sense of normalcy by finishing his breakfast. He later encounters Ivan, who is devastated but determined to rescue a baby chimp named Soni, revealing the depth of their friendship amidst despair.

In the rising chaos of war, Blacky decides to fight back by aligning himself with Marko and other communists. Together, they engage in clandestine activities, including stealing German weapons, as Blacky also wrestles with his dangerous affair with Natalija.

By 1944, Blacky organizes a birthday celebration for his son amid mourning the loss of Vera. Tensions ignite as Marko becomes involved in corrupt dealings, leading to an explosive confrontation at a theater highlighting the theme of loyalty and betrayal.

The storyline shifts to the Cold War era in 1961, revealing Marko's elaborate deception. He keeps Blacky, believed to be dead, hidden in a cellar while staging fake air raids to manipulate both him and the political narrative.

As Marko enjoys newfound power, Blacky remains oblivious to the war's resolution. He spends his days preparing for an imaginary threat while grappling with his past, caught between Marko's lies and fading memories of a lost world.

The final act unfolds against the backdrop of the Yugoslav Wars in 1992. Ivan confronts Marko, leading to a dramatic clash rooted in past betrayals and unresolved conflicts, symbolizing the wreckage of their once valued friendship.

In a surreal conclusion, all characters, both living and dead, gather at a symbolic wedding. Ivan delivers a poignant monologue that encapsulates themes of nostalgia, loss, and the enduring power of friendship amid the ruins of a tumultuous history.