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A Tight Spot is a 1982 Yugoslav comedy film
directed by Mića Milošević and written by Siniša Pavić along with Ljiljana Pavić. The film achieved enormous popularity throughout SFR Yugoslavia. The film's success spawned three sequels by the end of the decade.
Pantić's spouse Sida (Ružica Sokić) is a crabby middle aged housewife whose complaints cover a wide range: from being unhappy about having to penny pinch when grocery shopping to what she sees as personal lack of any nice memories to look back on before old age because her best years were spent tending after the house and the family. The oldest child, son Branko (Gojko Baletić), an eternal university student majoring in astronomy
, has a gripe about not having enough money for books and kits, which in his opinion prevents him from finally graduating. The middle child, daughter Mira (Danica Maksimović), has a degree in law
but can not find a job despite trying for years - she's also unhappy about lack of funds in the family because she thinks the ability to dress more attractively or to outright bribe would help her finally land a job. Finally, the youngest child Aca (Aleksandar Todorović), who is 16, has problems with discipline in high school and wants his father to buy him new textbook
s and also a motorbike. And if all of that is not enough, Pantić's household also features his cranky mother (Rahela Ferari) and a subtenant Suzana (Jelica Sretenović) who is assigned there by the state due to housing shortage and given a room that takes up 9.4 m2 of their apartment.
All the morning commotion at home leads to Pantić often being late for work where more frustration awaits. On this particular occasion it's his crooked boss Srećko Šojić (Milan Gutović
) barging into his office, ripping up reports and demanding Pantić has them re-typed because they're not legible enough to read. That leads Pantić back to the keyboarding department where a new young typist Melita Sandić (Nada Vojinović), who typed up the messy reports in the first place, seems more interested in chatting and flirting over the phone than doing her job. Pantić loses his patience and has her report to the director for incompetence.
Meanwhile, Pantić's youngest son Aca is having problems with his demanding and nitpicky English professor (Irfan Mensur
), nicknamed Japanac (Japanese), as he is obsessed with Japanese
culture and way of life. Following a few smart-alecky retorts from Aca, Japanac demands to speak to his father.
Back at Mita's work, it's time to collect monthly paychecks, but he is horrified to find out his pay has been docked due to his tardiness as part of the company's new initiative to maximize productivity. Hopping mad, he storms back to his office, but is soon approached by an unknown man who introduces himself as Oliver Nedeljković (Vladan Zivković) and proceeds to offer Pantić a bribe in return for his approval when it comes to decision on new hiring. Though short on money, Pantić refuses the payoff and reports the corruption
attempt to director Šoić.
Japanac soon comes to Pantić household in order to speak to Aca's father, but finds Pantić feverishly listening to radio football broadcasts because he placed a bet on that week's league
fixtures. Little by little, Pantić's predictions are proven right and he has 12 correct guesses with only the outcome of Sloboda vs. Vardar
match deciding if he wins the grand prize. Japanac meanwhile can not get a word in edgewise and as he is getting ready to leave, bumps into the subtenant Suzana who invites him into her room where they hit it off immediately. Back in his part of the apartment, Pantić collapses on the floor upon finding out the game ended in a draw, which means he missed the grand prize.
Japanac and Pantić eventually do meet to talk in Japanac's apartment, but this time the professor is more interested in discussing Pantić's subtenant than his son. Japanac expresses his desire to marry Suzana, which Pantić sees as a way to finally be rid of her.
Pantić cashes in his 12 correct guesses ticket for which he gets 7 million Yugoslav dinar
s. Coming into work to he gets mad when he finds out Nedeljković, the man who attempted to bribe him got the job and goes to confront Šojić only to find out that Melita has advanced to position of Šojić's personal typist, much to Pantić's annoyance and frustration after which he insults Šojić and leaves.
Back home with 7 million in cash in his bag, he wakes up the next morning to usual morning routine of family nagging and complaining about money. Sick and tired of listening to their complaints he reaches into his bag and starts throwing bills in the air. Then on the way to the bathroom he runs into Japanac who informs him that he married Suzana and moved into her room, as the house in which he met with Pantić was his friend's house. Japanac puts a bathroom schedule and enters the bathroom. After walking silently an angry Pantić screams, charges at the bathroom door and breaks it as the film ends.
by the Yugoslav rock
band Riblja Čorba
. Buvlja pijaca was not originally released as A Tight Spot soundtrack album.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Mića Milošević and written by Siniša Pavić along with Ljiljana Pavić. The film achieved enormous popularity throughout SFR Yugoslavia. The film's success spawned three sequels by the end of the decade.
Plot
At 56 years of age Mita Pantić (Nikola Simić) is still only a junior clerk in his company. Another typical workday for him is starting at 6 a.m. as frustration awaits at every turn from the moment he gets up. Trying to get ready to go to work, he can barely get a turn to use the bathroom in the crowded apartment. Other members of the household are not without their frustrations either, meaning that nagging and shouting are a staple of their home life at any time of day.Pantić's spouse Sida (Ružica Sokić) is a crabby middle aged housewife whose complaints cover a wide range: from being unhappy about having to penny pinch when grocery shopping to what she sees as personal lack of any nice memories to look back on before old age because her best years were spent tending after the house and the family. The oldest child, son Branko (Gojko Baletić), an eternal university student majoring in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, has a gripe about not having enough money for books and kits, which in his opinion prevents him from finally graduating. The middle child, daughter Mira (Danica Maksimović), has a degree in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
but can not find a job despite trying for years - she's also unhappy about lack of funds in the family because she thinks the ability to dress more attractively or to outright bribe would help her finally land a job. Finally, the youngest child Aca (Aleksandar Todorović), who is 16, has problems with discipline in high school and wants his father to buy him new textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
s and also a motorbike. And if all of that is not enough, Pantić's household also features his cranky mother (Rahela Ferari) and a subtenant Suzana (Jelica Sretenović) who is assigned there by the state due to housing shortage and given a room that takes up 9.4 m2 of their apartment.
All the morning commotion at home leads to Pantić often being late for work where more frustration awaits. On this particular occasion it's his crooked boss Srećko Šojić (Milan Gutović
Milan Gutovic
Milan "Lane" Gutović is a Serbian actor, cabaret performer, and television personality.-Career:Gutović has worked in both the film industry and the theatre. He has acted in the films Tesna Koza , Sedam I Po , Sutjeska , and Bela ladja...
) barging into his office, ripping up reports and demanding Pantić has them re-typed because they're not legible enough to read. That leads Pantić back to the keyboarding department where a new young typist Melita Sandić (Nada Vojinović), who typed up the messy reports in the first place, seems more interested in chatting and flirting over the phone than doing her job. Pantić loses his patience and has her report to the director for incompetence.
Meanwhile, Pantić's youngest son Aca is having problems with his demanding and nitpicky English professor (Irfan Mensur
Irfan Mensur
Irfan Mensur , is a Serbian theatre, television and film actor.* He is living and playing roles in Serbia for 30 years. He is married for the 2nd time to Serbian actress Srna Lango...
), nicknamed Japanac (Japanese), as he is obsessed with Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
culture and way of life. Following a few smart-alecky retorts from Aca, Japanac demands to speak to his father.
Back at Mita's work, it's time to collect monthly paychecks, but he is horrified to find out his pay has been docked due to his tardiness as part of the company's new initiative to maximize productivity. Hopping mad, he storms back to his office, but is soon approached by an unknown man who introduces himself as Oliver Nedeljković (Vladan Zivković) and proceeds to offer Pantić a bribe in return for his approval when it comes to decision on new hiring. Though short on money, Pantić refuses the payoff and reports the corruption
Corruption
Corruption usually refers to spiritual or moral impurity.Corruption may also refer to:* Corruption , an American crime film* Corruption , a British horror film...
attempt to director Šoić.
Japanac soon comes to Pantić household in order to speak to Aca's father, but finds Pantić feverishly listening to radio football broadcasts because he placed a bet on that week's league
Sports league
League is a term commonly used to describe a group of sports teams or individual athletes that compete against each other in a specific sport. At its simplest, it may be a local group of amateur athletes who form teams among themselves and compete on weekends; at its most complex, it can be an...
fixtures. Little by little, Pantić's predictions are proven right and he has 12 correct guesses with only the outcome of Sloboda vs. Vardar
FK Vardar
FK Vardar Skopje is a Macedonian football club based in the capital city of Skopje. FK Vardar is currently a member of the 1-MFL. FK Vardar is the most popular and renowned Macedonian football club both domestically and abroad, having won 6 national championships and 6 national cups...
match deciding if he wins the grand prize. Japanac meanwhile can not get a word in edgewise and as he is getting ready to leave, bumps into the subtenant Suzana who invites him into her room where they hit it off immediately. Back in his part of the apartment, Pantić collapses on the floor upon finding out the game ended in a draw, which means he missed the grand prize.
Japanac and Pantić eventually do meet to talk in Japanac's apartment, but this time the professor is more interested in discussing Pantić's subtenant than his son. Japanac expresses his desire to marry Suzana, which Pantić sees as a way to finally be rid of her.
Pantić cashes in his 12 correct guesses ticket for which he gets 7 million Yugoslav dinar
Yugoslav dinar
The dinar was the currency of the three Yugoslav states: the Kingdom of Yugoslavia , the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between 1918 and 2003. The dinar was subdivided into 100 para...
s. Coming into work to he gets mad when he finds out Nedeljković, the man who attempted to bribe him got the job and goes to confront Šojić only to find out that Melita has advanced to position of Šojić's personal typist, much to Pantić's annoyance and frustration after which he insults Šojić and leaves.
Back home with 7 million in cash in his bag, he wakes up the next morning to usual morning routine of family nagging and complaining about money. Sick and tired of listening to their complaints he reaches into his bag and starts throwing bills in the air. Then on the way to the bathroom he runs into Japanac who informs him that he married Suzana and moved into her room, as the house in which he met with Pantić was his friend's house. Japanac puts a bathroom schedule and enters the bathroom. After walking silently an angry Pantić screams, charges at the bathroom door and breaks it as the film ends.
Music
The film featured songs from the 1982 album Buvlja pijacaBuvlja pijaca
Buvlja pijaca is the fourth studio album from Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band Riblja Čorba, released in 1982.The album is the second Riblja Čorba album produced by John McCoy...
by the Yugoslav rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Riblja Čorba
Riblja Corba
Riblja Čorba is a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band. Their presence on the scene has lasted from 1978 to today. They reached their peak of popularity in the 1980s, but it has declined in the 1990s, partly due to controversial political attitudes of the band's leader Bora Đorđević...
. Buvlja pijaca was not originally released as A Tight Spot soundtrack album.
Cast
- Nikola Simić as Dimitrije "Mita" Pantić
- Milan GutovićMilan GutovicMilan "Lane" Gutović is a Serbian actor, cabaret performer, and television personality.-Career:Gutović has worked in both the film industry and the theatre. He has acted in the films Tesna Koza , Sedam I Po , Sutjeska , and Bela ladja...
as Srećko Šojić - Ružica Sokić as Persida "Sida" Pantić
- Irfan MensurIrfan MensurIrfan Mensur , is a Serbian theatre, television and film actor.* He is living and playing roles in Serbia for 30 years. He is married for the 2nd time to Serbian actress Srna Lango...
as Japanac, high school English professor - Jelica Sretenović as Suzana, the subtenant
- Gojko Baletić as Branko Pantić
- Danica Maksimović as Mira Pantić
- Aleksandar Todorović as Aleksandar "Aca" Pantić
- Rahela Ferari as Mita's mother
- Nada Vojinović as Melita Sandić, Šojić's personal typist
- Vladan Živković as Oliver Nedeljković
- Lepa BrenaLepa BrenaFahreta Jahić Živojinović is Yugoslavian pop-folk singer, better known as Lepa Brena , . Born in Tuzla and raised in Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina , she moved to Novi Sad in 1980 to pursue her career in singing. In 1982...
as Herself - Mirjana JokovićMirjana JokovicMirjana Joković is a Serbian film and stage actress, best known for her role as Natalija Zovkov in Underground, the film of Emir Kusturica...
as the girl with the walkmanWalkmanWalkman is a Sony brand tradename originally used for portable audio cassette, and now used to market Sony's portable audio and video players as well as a line of Sony Ericsson mobile phones...
in Aca's English class (uncredited)