Innocence Unprotected

Innocence Unprotected
Directed by	Dušan Makavejev
Written by	Dušan Makavejev
Starring	Dragoljub Aleksić Ana Milosavljević Vera Jovanović Bratoljub Gligorijević
Music by	Vojislav Dostić
Cinematography	Stevan Miskovic Branko Perak
Editing by	Ivanka Vukasović
Release date(s)	1968
Running time	78 minutes
Country	Yugoslavia
Language	Serbo-Croatian[1]

Innocence Unprotected is a compilation film by Yugoslavian director Dušan Makavejev.^[2] Makavejev's film is based on a 1941 film Nevinost bez zaštite in Serbia by Dragoljub Aleksić that was never released. In 1968, Makavejev found the film and expanded it with newsreel footage and interviews with surviving cast members.

Production

Innocence Unprotected is made from footage of the 1941 film of the same name. Innocence Unprotected was originally filmed in 1941 under the title Nevinost bez zaštite which was meant to be the first sound feature film made in Serbia.^[2] Nevinost bez zaštite was made by Yugoslav gymnast Dragoljub Aleksić who wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film.^[2] Nevinost bez zaštite was never released due to the Nazi censors and was found to be pro-nazi later on.^[2]

In 1968 filmmaker (Dušan Makavejev) found the film and expanded upon it with newsreel footage of Nazi Propaganda and German occupation as well. Other footage includes Aleksić performing his acrobatics and filmed interviews with the surviving cast members.^[2] Makavejev tinted some of the black and white scenes in the film and hand colored some details.^[1] The film was referred to by Makavejev as a "montage of attractions"^[2], with a montage styled celebration of Yugoslavian customs, folklore, and humor.

Reception

The film was entered into the 18th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury.^[3]

The film received positive acclaim on its initial release. Variety wrote that the film is "both amusing and interesting. It has value as a documentary but also gives the viewer the chance to laugh at an old amateur feature pic".^[4]

Roger Greenspun of The New York Times wrote that Makavejev "brings an exceptionally sophisticated understanding to his project. But it is also an exceptionally understanding sophistication—ironic, loving, clear-sightedly appreciative of all illusions. For this, rarer than most things on film, I value Makavejev's extraordinary insights into ordinary affairs and his gentle juggling act with Acrobat Aleksic."^[1]

Later reviews have also been positive. In 1985, Don Druker of The Chicago Reader wrote that the film is "funny and genuinely endearing tribute to an innocent folk hero—bizarre in spots, and definitely Makavejev".^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Nevinost bez Zastite (1968) - Innocence Unprotected':Makavejev Directs Yugoslav Feature Orphan Loves Acrobat Despite Opposition". The New York Times. 26 March 1971. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9E07E4D91530E73BBC4E51DFB566838A669EDE&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 July 2009. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Erickson, Hal. "Nevinost bez zaštite". Allmovie. http://allmovie.com/work/innocence-unprotected-24894. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 
3. ^ "Berlinale 1968: Prize Winners". berlinale.de. http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1968/03_preistr_ger_1968/03_Preistraeger_1968.html. Retrieved 2010-03-05. 
4. ^ "Nevinost Bez Zastite Review". Variety. 1 January 1968. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117793470.html?categoryid=31&cs=1. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 
5. ^ Druker, Don (11 July 1985). "Nevinost bez Zastite (1968) - Innocence Unprotected':Makavejev Directs Yugoslav Feature Orphan Loves Acrobat Despite Opposition". Chicago Reader. http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/innocence-unprotected/Film?oid=1064605. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 

External links

• Innocence Unprotected at AllRovi
• Innocence Unprotected at the Internet Movie Database
• Innocence Unprotected at Rotten Tomatoes