There's a certain justifiable perception that Eastern European films are earnest and somewhat grim tales of social deprivation, which is hardly surprising given the number of years many of these countries have lived under oppressive regimes. With rigid censorship, filmmakers, writers and musicians would have to resort to poetic expressions to disguise their political ideas. Of course, not all filmmakers resort to lyrical or visual allegory and prefer to use shock treatment, such as the highly controversial A SERBIAN FILM. However, TEARS FOR SALE is a completely different type of Serbian film that relies on magical reality to convey its tale of that war torn land.
It's the 1920s and the war has taken a severe toll on the male population. In a remote village there is only one old man left and the women are getting desperate for physical contact. Two virginal sisters, from a long line of professional wailers (hence the title), accidentally cause the old man's death, and are sentenced to death, but escape by promising to go find some men to bring back to the village or the local witch will curse their grandmother's soul for eternity. However, when their mission proves successful it introduces a whole new set of problems.
Gothic and slightly surreal it is shot with great originality, even if it does draw inevitable comparisons with the films of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro and Terry Gilliam. Tempered with humour and inventive imagery, this fairytale for adults celebrates the beauty and mystery of womanhood, alongside some of its darker aspects, which may change most men's fantasies of being alone in a village of desperate housewives.
It is just a shame that it is not having a theatrical release because it is the type of film that can be best appreciated on a big screen. Nevertheless, see it to discover what a new wave of Eastern European filmmakers are achieving by telling stories with a universal appeal.
TEARS FOR SALE is released on DVD by Icon Home Entertainment on September 20 and is available from Play and all good retailers.
