Concentrating on the political troubles of Yugoslavia and the life of
its Gypsy community (with whom he spent his formative years)
Kusturica's films are remarkable for their manic energy and skilful
blend of anarchic humour and melancholy. Twice winner of the Palme d'Or
at Cannes (When Papa Was Away On Business in 1985 and Underground in
1995), his imaginative direction frequently exhilarates, only
rarely lapsing into self-indulgence. A political opponent of the
Milosevic regime in Serbia, Kusturica lives in Paris but continues, as
Black Cat White Cat (his most recent feature) evidences, to draw rich
inspiration from the peoples of his homeland.
