When Father Was Away on Business

Synopsis

In a post-WWII Yugoslavia still under Stalinist rule in the 1950s, six-year-old Malik is oblivious as to why his father, Mehmed, has suddenly disappeared. In truth, Mehmed has been sent to a labor camp as punishment for acts of sexual indiscretion involving young girls. Malik's mother, Senija, however, has no answers, and the family must cope in the father's absence.

Director

Emir Kusturica

Written by

Abdulah Sidran

Music

Zoran Simjanović

Studio

Forum Sarajevo

Released

15 January 1985

Genres

Drama