# Underground

> 1995 film directed by Emir Kusturica

**Wikidata**: [Q156516](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156516)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_(1995_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/underground

## Summary

Underground is a film that has received significant international recognition. It won the Palme d'Or and the Lumière Award for Best Foreign Film .

## Summary
Underground is a 1995 tragicomedy film directed by Emir Kusturica that blends drama, comedy, and war genres to depict the history of Yugoslavia. Produced through an international collaboration involving France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, the film achieved critical acclaim by winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It stands as a significant cultural artifact supported by European funds and distributed by French production entities like Ciby 2000.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: The film premiered on April 1, 1995, with subsequent releases on November 23, 1995, December 26, 1995, and June 20, 1997.
- **Director**: Emir Kusturica.
- **Primary Genre Classification**: Tragicomedy, which encompasses elements of drama, comedy, and war film.
- **Production Countries**: France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (active 1992–2003).
- **Historical Context**: The narrative is set against the backdrop of Yugoslavia (1918–1992) and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- **Production Support**: Funded by Eurimages, a cultural support fund of the Council of Europe established in 1988.
- **Distribution Partner**: Ciby 2000, a French film production and distribution company founded in 1990.
- **Major Award**: Winner of the Palme d'Or, the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival (established 1955).
- **Secondary Recognition**: Nominated for or associated with the Lumière Award for Best Foreign Film, a category active from 1996 to 2002.
- **Wikidata Identifier**:  (associated with the country context) and sitelink count of 41.
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Underground (1995 film)".

## FAQs
**What genres does the film Underground combine?**
Underground is classified as a tragicomedy, a genre that merges elements of drama and literature with humor. It specifically incorporates the conventions of war films and comedy films to create a unique narrative style.

**Which countries were involved in the production and distribution of the film?**
The film represents a multinational effort involving France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, alongside the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. These nations contributed to the production framework during the mid-1990s.

**What major awards did the film receive upon release?**
The film secured the Palme d'Or, which is the highest honor awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It also garnered attention within the French film community through the Lumière Award for Best Foreign Film category.

**Which organizations provided financial or logistical support for the project?**
Eurimages, a cultural support fund established by the Council of Europe in 1988, provided backing for the production. Additionally, the French company Ciby 2000, founded in 1990, handled production and distribution duties.

## Why It Matters
Underground serves as a pivotal cinematic work that chronicles the complex and often turbulent history of Yugoslavia through the lens of a tragicomedy. By synthesizing the genres of war, drama, and comedy, it offers a unique perspective on the dissolution of a nation and the human experience during conflict. The film's international co-production model highlights the collaborative cultural efforts of European nations, including France, Germany, and the Balkan states, during a period of significant geopolitical change. Its receipt of the Palme d'Or underscores its artistic merit and its ability to resonate with global audiences regarding themes of war and absurdity. Furthermore, the involvement of bodies like Eurimages demonstrates the role of supranational cultural funds in preserving and promoting regional histories through cinema.

## Notable For
- **Palme d'Or Victory**: Securing the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, a rare achievement for a film of its genre and origin.
- **Genre Fusion**: Successfully merging war film, drama, and comedy into a cohesive tragicomedy structure.
- **International Co-Production**: A collaborative effort spanning six distinct nations (France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Yugoslavia).
- **Historical Scope**: Covering the timeline from the inception of Yugoslavia in 1918 through the Federal Republic era (1992–2003).
- **Cultural Funding**: Supported by the Council of Europe's Eurimages fund, established in 1988.
- **Director's Vision**: Directed by Emir Kusturica, a prominent figure in world cinema.
- **Multiple Release Windows**: Distributed across four distinct dates between 1995 and 1997, indicating a sustained theatrical or festival run.

## Body

### Production and Release History
The film Underground was released in 1995, with its initial publication date recorded as April 1, 1995. Following this premiere, the film saw additional release dates on November 23, 1995, and December 26, 1995, before a final documented release on June 20, 1997. These staggered dates suggest a festival circuit rollout followed by wider distribution. The project was directed by Emir Kusturica, who is credited with bringing this specific vision to the screen. The film is cataloged in Wikidata with the description "1995 film directed by Emir Kusturica" and holds the Wikipedia title "Underground (1995 film)".

### Genre and Classification
Underground is primarily classified as a tragicomedy, a genre of drama and literature that balances serious and humorous elements. This classification places it within the broader categories of drama films and comedy films, where the main emphasis is on humor, yet it also functions as a war film depicting the realities of conflict. The sitelink count for the film is 41, indicating a moderate level of documentation across various language editions. The film's ability to straddle these genres allows it to address the absurdity of war while maintaining a dramatic narrative arc.

### International Collaboration and Geography
The production of Underground was a multinational endeavor involving several European countries. France played a significant role, serving as a primary production base and home to the distributor Ciby 2000. Germany, with its complex history ranging from the German Empire (1871) to the Federal Republic (1949), contributed to the co-production framework. Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic were also integral partners in the project. The narrative and production context are deeply tied to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2003) and the broader historical entity of Yugoslavia (1918–1992). The film's setting and themes reflect the geopolitical shifts in Southeastern and Central Europe during the 20th century.

### Funding and Institutional Support
Financial and institutional backing for the film came from key European cultural organizations. Eurimages, a cultural support fund of the Council of Europe, provided essential funding. This organization was established in 1988 and is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. The involvement of Eurimages highlights the film's status as a project of cultural significance within the Council of Europe's member states. Additionally, the French film production and distribution company Ciby 2000, founded on January 1, 1990, was instrumental in the film's production and distribution logistics. Ciby 2000 operates within the film industry and is headquartered in France.

### Awards and Recognition
Underground achieved significant critical success, most notably winning the Palme d'Or. This award is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, an institution established in 1955 and based in France. The film's recognition extended to the French film community through the Lumière Award for Best Foreign Film. This specific award category existed from 1996 to 2002, placing the film's recognition within a specific historical window of French cinema awards. The film's success in these categories underscores its impact on the international film landscape of the mid-1990s.

### Historical and Political Context
The film's narrative is inextricably linked to the history of Yugoslavia. The entity of Yugoslavia existed from December 1, 1918, until 1992, serving as the primary setting for the film's events. Following this period, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was established on April 27, 1992, and existed until 2003. The film also touches upon the broader European context, referencing the histories of France (with inception dates ranging from 843 to 1804 depending on the regime), Germany (with inception dates from 641 to 1949), and the Czech Republic (with roots in the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1198 and modern inception in 1993). These historical markers provide the temporal and political framework within which the film's story unfolds.

## References

1. filmportal.de
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. The Movie Database
4. Unifrance
5. Underground. Rotten Tomatoes
6. Lexicon of international films
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9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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