Silent Gunpowder (1990)
A Yugoslav war drama pitting Partisan ideology against royalist tradition in a WWII Bosnian mountain village torn apart from within.
Silent Gunpowder - Movie Information
- Original Title: Gluvi barut
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Bahrudin 'Bato' Čengić
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 15, 1990 (YU)
- Production Companies: Jadran Film, Beograd Film, Sutjeska Film, Forum Sarajevo, Televizija Sarajevo
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
Silent Gunpowder - Plot
Silent Gunpowder (Serbo-Croatian: Gluvi barut) is a Yugoslavian war film based on a novel by Branko Ćopić and set during World War II. The film tells the story of a Serbian village in the mountains of Bosnia and its villagers who found themselves divided along two opposing ideological lines, represented by the Chetniks and the Partisans. These two opposing sides are personified in the Partisan commander Španac and a former Royal Army officer Radekić. Španac sees Radekić as the cause of villagers' resistance to the new, Communist, ideology and so the main plot axis is the conflict between them. At the 1990 Pula Film Festival, the film won the Big Golden Arena for Best Film, as well as the awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Branislav Lečić) and Best Film Score (Goran Bregović). The film was also shown at the 1991 Moscow International Film Festival, where both Branislav Lečić and Mustafa Nadarević won the Silver St. George Award for their performances.
Silent Gunpowder - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bahrudin 'Bato' Čengić
Main Cast
- Mustafa Nadarević
- Branislav Lečić
- Fabijan Šovagović
- Mira Furlan
- Boro Stjepanović
- Josip Pejaković
- Zijah Sokolović
- Svetozar Cvetković
- Zaim Muzaferija
- Enver Petrovci
Writers
- Bahrudin 'Bato' Čengić
Producers
- Mirza Pašić
Silent Gunpowder - FAQs
What is Silent Gunpowder about?
Silent Gunpowder is a Yugoslav war drama set during World War II in a Bosnian mountain village divided between Chetnik and Partisan factions. The central conflict pits Partisan commander Španac against former Royal Army officer Radekić, exploring how ideological struggle tears apart a community from within.
Is Silent Gunpowder based on a true story?
Silent Gunpowder is based on a novel by celebrated Yugoslav author Branko Ćopić. While fictional, it draws on historically documented tensions between Chetnik royalists and Communist Partisans in wartime Bosnia, grounding its drama in the real ideological fractures that divided Yugoslavia during World War II.
Who directed Silent Gunpowder?
Silent Gunpowder was directed by Bahrudin 'Bato' Čengić, a prominent Bosnian filmmaker known for his thoughtful explorations of Yugoslav history and identity. Čengić also wrote the screenplay, adapting Branko Ćopić's novel for the screen.
Who are the main actors in Silent Gunpowder?
The film stars Mustafa Nadarević as Partisan commander Španac and Branislav Lečić as Miloš Radekić. The ensemble cast also includes Mira Furlan, Fabijan Šovagović, Boro Stjepanović, Josip Pejaković, Zijah Sokolović, Svetozar Cvetković, Zaim Muzaferija, and Enver Petrovci.
Did Silent Gunpowder win any awards?
Yes. At the 1990 Pula Film Festival, Silent Gunpowder won the Big Golden Arena for Best Film, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Branislav Lečić, and Best Film Score for Goran Bregović. At the 1991 Moscow International Film Festival, both Branislav Lečić and Mustafa Nadarević received the Silver St. George Award.
What is the significance of the Španac and Radekić conflict?
The rivalry between Španac and Radekić is the film's ideological core. Španac represents Communist Partisan ideology seeking to reshape society, while Radekić embodies the old royalist order. Their personal conflict mirrors the broader civil war within the Yugoslav resistance, making their struggle a microcosm of a nation at war with itself.
When was Silent Gunpowder released?
Silent Gunpowder was released on March 15, 1990, in Yugoslavia. The film was subsequently screened at the 1991 Moscow International Film Festival, gaining international recognition for its performances and its nuanced portrayal of wartime ideological conflict in occupied Bosnia.
What are similar films to Silent Gunpowder?
Viewers who appreciate Silent Gunpowder may also enjoy Europa Europa (1990), Black Book (2006), The Great Silence (1968), Johnny Mad Dog (2008), and De Gaulle (2020). These films similarly explore wartime moral complexity, ideological conflict, and the human cost of resistance and occupation.
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