The Best (1989)
A quietly powerful Yugoslav drama about one man's deliberate choice to abandon success and rediscover what it means to live on his own terms.
The Best - Movie Information
- Original Title: Najbolji
- Release Year: 1989
- Directed by: Dejan Šorak
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 19, 1989 (RS)
- Alternative Titles: Der perfekte kreis (DE), Savrseni Krug (BA)
- Production Companies: Zastava film, Avala Film
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
The Best - Plot
A young officer, after finishing the Military Academy as the best in his class, suddenly and with no visible reason, leaves his home town, girl, parents, safety and eventual career and leaves to a remote provincial town to find and create his life and destiny. The story of a lonely man without illusions and bitterness, who collects simple pieces of sense, humanity and love through his actions.
Where to Watch The Best
Looking for where to watch The Best?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Best - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Dejan Šorak
Main Cast
- Vicko Ruić
- Dragan Bjelogrlić
- Danilo Lazović
- Miodrag Krivokapić
- Mia Begović
- Branka Pujić
- Branimir Vidić
- Dragan Jovanović
- Branko Đurić
- Stevan Gardinovački
Writers
- Siniša Kovačević
The Best - FAQs
What is The Best (1989) about?
The Best follows a young Yugoslav military officer who graduates top of his class at the Military Academy, then unexpectedly abandons his career, family, and girlfriend to relocate to a remote provincial town. There, he quietly seeks meaning through small acts of humanity, connection, and love, free from ambition or bitterness.
Who directed The Best (1989)?
The Best was directed by Dejan Šorak, a prominent Croatian filmmaker known for his thoughtful, character-driven approach to Yugoslav cinema. The film is considered one of his most acclaimed works, praised for its quiet emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of individual freedom within a rigid institutional world.
Who are the main actors in The Best?
The film stars Vicko Ruić as the lead character Neven Pendelj, alongside Dragan Bjelogrlić, Danilo Lazović, Miodrag Krivokapić, Mia Begović, Branka Pujić, Branimir Vidić, Dragan Jovanović, Branko Đurić, and Stevan Gardinovački in supporting roles.
Why does the officer abandon his career in The Best?
The film deliberately leaves the officer's motivation ambiguous — there is no single dramatic trigger. His departure reads as a quiet rejection of prescribed success and institutional life. Rather than explaining himself, he simply chooses authenticity over achievement, making his decision one of the film's most thought-provoking and enduring mysteries.
Is The Best based on a true story?
The Best is not based on a specific true story. It is an original dramatic work written by Siniša Kovačević. However, its portrayal of Yugoslav military culture, provincial life, and the tension between individual freedom and institutional expectation resonated strongly with audiences as a reflection of real social dynamics of the era.
What language is The Best filmed in?
The Best is filmed in Serbo-Croatian, the primary language of Yugoslavia at the time of production. The film was produced in Yugoslavia in 1989, during the final years of the Socialist Federal Republic, and its language and setting are deeply rooted in that specific cultural and historical context.
What are films similar to The Best (1989)?
Viewers who appreciate The Best may also enjoy Paths of Glory (1957), a morally charged military drama, The Leopard (1963), a meditation on identity and social change, and Stalker (1979), another introspective journey toward personal meaning. All three share The Best's reflective tone and interest in individuals navigating oppressive systems.
When was The Best released?
The Best was released on January 19, 1989, in Yugoslavia (present-day Serbia). The film arrived during a pivotal and turbulent period in Yugoslav history, lending its themes of personal reinvention and quiet resistance an added layer of cultural and political resonance for contemporary audiences.
More About The Best
Explore further details, credits, and data for The Best on these authoritative databases.