South by Southeast (2005)
A Serbian political thriller where a baffling kidnapping claim pulls one inspector deep into a labyrinth of state secrets and dangerous lies.
South by Southeast - Movie Information
- Original Title: Jug jugoistok
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Milutin Petrović
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: Serbian
- Spoken Languages: Serbian
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 3, 2005 (CS)
- Production Companies: Montage
- Production Countries: Serbia and Montenegro
South by Southeast - Plot
Sonja, once a popular Serbian actress settled in Slovenia is on a short visit to Belgrade. She panics claiming that her daughter Sofia has been kidnapped, then disappears. Inspector Despotovic is assigned to the case and when he finds Sonja, she admits that she made everything up, that she never had a child, and therefore there was no kidnapping. But a Secret Service veteran approaches Despotovic and tells him that the story about kidnapping is true. It is highly classified information. The father of the child is Foreign Affairs Minister. On the other hand, Minister claims that the Secret Service has made everything up trying to compromise him. Despotovic is puzzled... Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? Who is insane? Who is about to die?
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South by Southeast - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Milutin Petrović
Main Cast
- Radivoje 'Raša' Andrić
- Nedeljko 'Neško' Despotović
- Balša Đogo
- Kosta Đorđević
- Mladomir 'Puriša' Đorđević
- Nikola Dragović
- Vladimir Đukelić
- Mina Đukić
- Nikola Đuričko
- Srdan Golubović
Writers
- Saša Radojević
- Milutin Petrović
Producers
- Milutin Petrović
- Predrag Bambić
South by Southeast - FAQs
What is South by Southeast about?
South by Southeast follows Inspector Despotovic as he investigates a confusing kidnapping claim made by Sonja, a Serbian actress living in Slovenia. When she recants, a Secret Service veteran insists the abduction is real and tied to a Foreign Affairs Minister, plunging Despotovic into a web of lies and political intrigue.
Who directed South by Southeast?
South by Southeast was directed by Milutin Petrović, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Saša Radojević and served as one of the film's producers. It stands as a notable entry in Serbian genre cinema from the mid-2000s.
Who are the main actors in South by Southeast?
The cast includes Nedeljko 'Neško' Despotović as Inspector Despotović, Nikola Đuričko as Dragan, Balša Đogo, Kosta Đorđević, Mladomir 'Puriša' Đorđević, Mina Đukić, Vladimir Đukelić, Nikola Dragović, Radivoje 'Raša' Andrić, and Srdan Golubović.
When was South by Southeast released?
South by Southeast had its release on June 3, 2005, in the former state of Serbia and Montenegro. The film is a product of the production company Montage and represents a compelling chapter in early 2000s Serbian thriller filmmaking.
Is South by Southeast based on a true story?
South by Southeast is not based on a specific true story. It is an original fictional thriller written by Saša Radojević and director Milutin Petrović. However, its themes of political manipulation, secret service intrigue, and institutional deception resonate strongly with real-world post-Yugoslav political tensions of the era.
What genre is South by Southeast?
South by Southeast is a thriller. The film blends elements of political intrigue, mystery, and psychological tension as its protagonist struggles to untangle a conspiracy involving state secrets, a missing child, and competing claims from powerful figures.
How long is South by Southeast?
South by Southeast runs for 87 minutes, making it a lean and tightly paced thriller. The compact runtime keeps the tension high throughout as Inspector Despotovic races to determine who is lying, who is telling the truth, and who might be in danger.
What are some movies similar to South by Southeast?
If you enjoy South by Southeast, you might also like The Chase (2024), Causality (2021), Kompromat (2022), Orphan: First Kill (2022), Lazareth (2024), and The Boy Who Killed My Parents (2021). These films share similar themes of deception, conspiracy, and high-stakes suspense.
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