Year of The Monkey (2019)
A wry Macedonian political satire that sees a crumbling society through the eyes of a chimpanzee and his unlikely human companion.
Year of The Monkey - Movie Information
- Original Title: Година на мајмунот
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Vladimir Blaževski
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Macedonian
- Spoken Languages: Macedonian
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 3, 2019 (Czech Republic)
- Alternative Titles: Godina na majmunot (MK), Sloboda ili smrt: Godina majmuna (RS), Year of the Monkey (US)
- Production Companies: Film House Kiselo Dete, Punk Film Production, Strup Produkcija, Infinity Production
- Production Countries: Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia
Year of The Monkey - Plot
A mild political satire about a peculiar friendship between a lonesome monkey and an (impoverished) zoo warden, and about an upside-down world in transition as seen by a chimpanzee.
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Year of The Monkey - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Vladimir Blaževski
Main Cast
- Çun Lajçi
- Marija Kohn
- Igor Angelov
- Elena Trajkovska
- Bereda Reshit
- Faik Mefailoski
- Aleksandar Kamnaroski
- Refet Abazi
- Tanja Kočovska
- Mitko Apostolovski
Writers
- Vladimir Blaževski
Year of The Monkey - FAQs
What is Year of The Monkey about?
Year of The Monkey follows an unlikely bond between a solitary chimpanzee and a down-on-his-luck zoo warden navigating a society in chaotic transition. The film uses this offbeat friendship as a lens for gentle political satire, reflecting on post-socialist Balkan life with warmth, absurdist humor, and a quietly melancholic touch.
Is Year of The Monkey a political satire?
Yes, very much so. Director Vladimir Blaževski crafts a mild but pointed satire of Balkan society in transition, using the perspective of a chimpanzee to expose the absurdities of a world turned upside down. It's playful rather than preachy, blending comedy and fantasy to make its social commentary feel refreshingly light.
Where can you stream Year of The Monkey?
You can watch Year of The Monkey for free on Fawesome. It's a great option if you're looking to explore Macedonian cinema without any subscription cost.
Who are the main actors in Year of The Monkey?
The film features Çun Lajçi as Hashim the zoo warden and Marija Kohn as Vilma Lukić, with Igor Angelov, Elena Trajkovska, Bereda Reshit, and Faik Mefailoski rounding out the ensemble cast. It's a largely Balkan cast bringing a distinctly regional flavor to the story.
What makes Year of The Monkey unique as a film?
Few films dare to filter political commentary through the eyes of a chimpanzee. Year of The Monkey blends absurdist comedy with social critique in a way that feels distinctly Balkan — darkly funny, unexpectedly tender, and rooted in the lived experience of post-socialist transition. It's a genuinely unusual cinematic voice.
Who directed Year of The Monkey?
Vladimir Blaževski directed the film and also wrote the screenplay. He's a veteran of Macedonian cinema, and Year of The Monkey showcases his ability to blend social commentary with accessible, genre-bending storytelling in a way that feels both personal and politically engaged.
Is Year of The Monkey based on a true story?
No, Year of The Monkey is an original fictional story. While it draws heavily on the real social and political climate of post-socialist Balkan countries, the central premise — a friendship between a zoo warden and a chimpanzee — is a creative invention used to frame its satirical observations about society.
What countries produced Year of The Monkey?
It's a co-production spanning four countries: Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. This kind of regional collaboration is common in Balkan cinema and gives the film a broad cultural resonance across the former Yugoslav space, reflecting shared histories and the collective experience of post-socialist transition.
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