Petria's Wreath (1980)
A landmark Yugoslav drama tracing one woman's life of love, loss, and endurance across decades of turbulent Serbian history.
Petria's Wreath - Movie Information
- Original Title: Petrijin venac
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Srđan Karanović
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 22, 1980 (YU)
- Alternative Titles: Petrijin venac (RS)
- Production Companies: Centar film
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
Petria's Wreath - Plot
This film takes place in a small mining town in Serbia, within a time span covering the prewar, war, and postwar period. A story about tragic life of an illiterate woman from village, about her life with three men she loved. Her life, torn between dreams and reality, is a life of suffering, loneliness, disappointment, hope and love.
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Petria's Wreath - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Srđan Karanović
Main Cast
- Mirjana Karanović
- Dragan Maksimović
- Pavle Vuisić
- Marko Nikolić
- Olivera Marković
- Veljko Mandić
- Ljiljana Krstić
- Milivoje 'Mića' Tomić
- Miloš Žutić
- Rade Marković
Petria's Wreath - FAQs
What is Petria's Wreath about?
Petria's Wreath follows Petrija, an illiterate village woman, through decades of hardship in a Serbian mining town spanning the prewar, wartime, and postwar eras. Her story is one of enduring love, loneliness, and quiet resilience as she navigates life with three very different men.
Does Petria's Wreath have a happy ending?
Not quite. The film is a deeply bittersweet portrait of a woman whose life is marked by loss and disappointment as much as by love and hope. It doesn't offer easy resolution — Petrija's journey is honest and unsentimental, leaving viewers moved rather than comforted.
Who plays Petrija in the film?
Mirjana Karanović delivers a remarkable performance as Petrija, the film's central character. Her portrayal of the illiterate village woman across multiple decades of her life is widely regarded as one of the finest performances in Yugoslav cinema history.
Who directed Petria's Wreath?
Srđan Karanović directed the film. He was one of the leading voices of the Yugoslav New Film movement, and Petria's Wreath is considered among his most accomplished works — a deeply humane and visually striking portrait of rural Serbian life.
Is Petria's Wreath based on a true story?
The film is based on the novel Petrijin venac by Dragoslav Mihailović, published in 1975. The novel draws on oral storytelling traditions and is written in the voice of a real-sounding village woman, giving the story a vivid authenticity rooted in the lived experience of rural Serbia.
What are similar films to Petria's Wreath?
If Petria's Wreath resonates with you, try Precious (2009), Women Talking (2022), Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), or Sons and Lovers (1960). These films share a similar focus on women navigating hardship, social constraints, and the search for dignity in difficult circumstances.
How was Petria's Wreath received by critics?
The film earned widespread critical acclaim and is regarded as a landmark of Yugoslav cinema. It won the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize at the 1980 Berlin International Film Festival, cementing its place as one of the most celebrated Eastern European films of its era.
Did Petria's Wreath win any awards?
Yes — Petria's Wreath won the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1980. It's a significant honor that brought international attention to both the film and to Yugoslav cinema more broadly at the time of its release.
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