The Perfect Circle (1997)
A raw and deeply human Bosnian war drama about a poet, two orphaned boys, and survival under siege.
The Perfect Circle - Movie Information
- Original Title: Savršeni krug
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Ademir Kenović
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Bosnian
- Spoken Languages: Bosnian
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 10, 1997 (France), December 30, 1997 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Savršeni krug (BA), Der perfekte Kreis (AT), Le cercle parfait (FR)
- Production Companies: Sarajevo Dokument, Parnasse International, Canal+, Argus Film Produktie, La Sept Cinéma, Fondation GAN pour le Cinéma, Jadran Film, Eurimages, VPRO, Objektív Film
- Production Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands
The Perfect Circle - Plot
An alcoholic Bosnian poet sends his wife and daughter away from Sarajevo so they can avoid the troubles there. However, he is soon descended upon by a pair of orphaned brothers. The brothers have escaped a massacre in their own village and have come to the Bosnian capital in search of a long lost Aunt. The poet befriends the boys and together they try to survive the horror of the siege of Sarajevo.
The Perfect Circle - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the film's haunting atmosphere:
The Perfect Circle - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ademir Kenović
Main Cast
- Mustafa Nadarević
- Almedin Leleta
- Almir Podgorica
- Josip Pejaković
- Jasna Diklić
- Mirela Lambić
- Ljubica Lohajner Žnidarić
- Amina Begović
- Sultana Omerbegović
- Zaim Muzaferija
Writers
- Pjer Žalica
- Ademir Kenović
- Abdulah Sidran
Producers
- Dana Rotberg
The Perfect Circle - FAQs
What is The Perfect Circle about?
The Perfect Circle follows Hamza, a hard-drinking Bosnian poet, who finds himself caring for two young brothers after they flee a massacre in their village and arrive in besieged Sarajevo searching for a lost aunt. Together, the unlikely trio navigate the terror and absurdity of daily life under constant bombardment.
Does The Perfect Circle have a hopeful ending?
The film doesn't offer easy comfort. It ends on a note that is both devastating and quietly human — true to the reality of the Sarajevo siege. Rather than a conventional resolution, it leaves viewers with a profound sense of loss and the fragile bonds that form in the midst of war.
Is The Perfect Circle based on true events?
While the story is fictional, it is deeply rooted in lived experience. Director Ademir Kenović and co-writer Abdulah Sidran both lived through the siege of Sarajevo, and the film draws heavily on the real horrors and human moments of that brutal conflict, lending it an unmistakable authenticity.
Who directed The Perfect Circle?
The film was directed by Ademir Kenović, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most respected filmmakers. He co-wrote the screenplay alongside poet and screenwriter Abdulah Sidran and Pjer Žalica, drawing on their collective experience of surviving the siege of Sarajevo.
Who are the main actors in The Perfect Circle?
Mustafa Nadarević leads the cast as Hamza, the world-weary poet at the heart of the story. He's joined by young actors Almedin Leleta and Almir Podgorica as the two orphaned brothers, with Josip Pejaković and Jasna Diklić rounding out the principal cast.
How was The Perfect Circle received by critics?
The film earned strong critical praise for its raw emotional honesty and restrained direction. It was celebrated as one of the most authentic cinematic portrayals of the Sarajevo siege, standing alongside works like Welcome to Sarajevo as essential viewing on the Bosnian War.
What language is The Perfect Circle in?
The Perfect Circle is filmed entirely in Bosnian, giving the story an immediate, grounded authenticity. For international audiences, it is typically presented with subtitles. The language choice was a deliberate artistic and political statement by the filmmakers.
What are similar films to The Perfect Circle?
If The Perfect Circle moved you, consider exploring Waiting for Anya (2020), The History of Love (2016), and The Boy in the Woods (2023) — all films that examine human resilience and the bonds forged between strangers during wartime. The Last Rifleman (2023) is also a worthwhile companion piece.
More About The Perfect Circle
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