Tanja Šljivar

Belgrade in 1993. The pent-up tension of uncertain times is released at a children’s birthday party. While the kids celebrate in the living room dressed up as Ninja Turtles, the adults discuss, flirt, smoke and drink in the kitchen.

Branko dwells on the fringes of Belgrade society. Isolated and unable to sleep, he speaks to no-one. His only obsession seems to be his younger brother, whose muddy shoes, bloodstained sheets, and murky whereabouts unsettle him. As paranoia sets in, Branko realises his brother isn't the strange one. He is.

Sleepless from the heat, Sokun leaves his crowded construction dormitory and joins a community of fellow workers living in one of many unfinished high-rises. One such tower becomes the long-awaited luxury home for its first tenant, Seda, who soon feels trapped in the vast gated complex.

Ena, a 10 year old girl, who lives with her young mother and grandmother, has a constant urge to eat something sweet, and she never actually gets to eat some, by the end of the day ending up having a different “culinary”experience with her friend Ado who is in the eve of moving to Frankfurt.

Mara, a successful businesswoman and single mother, is heartbroken after her son Nemanja’s untimely death. She becomes emotionally detached, refusing to communicate with friends and family. However, when she meets Milan, Nemanja’s close friend, she finds solace and comfort in their relationship.

In Žilnik’s hilarious and sneakily charming docu-fiction, post-socialist restitution returns his childhood home to Serbian jazz musician Stevan. After six decades in Germany, he returns to his homeland where a series of reunions sheds light on his life.

One sleeps by day, the other by night, as the city around them expands in all directions.